Jill Ackerman will retire from her role as Lima schools superintendent effective August 1, after a long career in the district.
Ackerman has dedicated her entire 37-year career to the Lima school system. She started as a long-term special education substitute at Emerson Elementary back in 1988. After moving from Fremont, she took on a full-time role and later worked at North Middle School, where she climbed the ranks to assistant principal and then principal.
In 2002, she became the assistant superintendent and stepped into the superintendent role in 2012 when Karel Oxley retired. Ackerman has always felt a strong connection to Lima, thanks to the relationships she built with students, parents, and staff.
She mentioned, “You didn’t ever quit,” emphasizing her commitment to the district. Reflecting on her retirement, she said it just feels like the right time.
During her tenure, Ackerman faced challenges like the coronavirus pandemic, which impacted student attendance and mental health. She introduced initiatives like a homeless liaison and food pantries in schools to support students in need.
Under her leadership, Lima schools became the first in Ohio to implement ALICE training for active shooter situations and established a health center at Lima Senior High School.
Ackerman believes the district is in a strong position but acknowledges that the next superintendent will face ongoing challenges, especially regarding student attendance and mental health issues that worsened during the pandemic.
The Lima school board plans to meet on January 29 to start the search for her successor.
