Karst new interim supt. at Lincolnview

Van Wert independent/submitted information

Van Wert native and former Parkway superintendent Doug Karst is Lincolnview Local Schools’ interim superintendent.

Karst, a 1969 graduate of Van Wert High School and a 1973 graduate of The Ohio State University, was hired by the Lincolnview Local Board of Education during a special meeting held Monday evening in the district conference room.

Karst replaces former superintendent Doug Fries, who resigned to take the superintendent’s position for Greenville City Schools.

“I have always thought of Lincolnview as a very solid school district in terms of local support, academics, athletics, staff and administration,” Karst noted. “The facilities are first class and make for a great learning environment.”

Karst began teaching at Pandora-Gilboa Local Schools, where he taught science and computers for 21 years and also coached football, track and field, golf and cross country. He then spent five years as a high school principal at Patrick Henry Local Schools before becoming Parkway’s superintendent.

While at Parkway, Karst oversaw a building project that consolidated the district’s three schools into one centrally located building in Rockford. Also during his time at Parkway, the district improved from being on academic watch receiving an “effective” State School Report Card rating.

Karst retired from Parkway in 2008 and has since served as interim superintendent for the Holgate and Marion Local school districts.

Karst and his wife, Sue, have two adult children and three grandchildren. The couple resides in rural Rockford.

“I am very excited to help with the transition of finding a permanent superintendent,” Karst said. “Doug Fries has done a wonderful job and will be hard to replace.”