Karen Klem

Visionary and accomplished educational leader with over two decades of dedicated service in public education, encompassing diverse roles such as PreK–12 teaching, school counseling, and building and district administration. Expertise in instructional leadership, strategic planning, budget management, and community engagement has consistently driven student achievement and school improvement initiatives. Skilled in leading collaborative efforts to foster data-driven environments that prioritize safety and uphold high expectations for all stakeholders. Recognized for excellence with an Accomplished rating on the Ohio Principal Evaluation System (OPES), reflecting a commitment to transformative educational leadership.

• Elevated Paul C. Bunn Elementary state report card rating from 3 to 4 stars in two years; recipient of the ODEW Momentum Award for student growth.
• Utilized multiple data sources (state assessments, local diagnostics, attendance, and behavior data) to monitor progress, refine strategies, and sustain growth aligned to district improvement priorities.
• Led implementation of building-wide improvement cycles aligned with district goals, ensuring fidelity, progress monitoring, and stakeholder accountability.
• Aligned building goals with district AIP using EdSteps, with targeted focus on early literacy, math, and absenteeism reduction.
• Maintained open, solution-focused communication with union representatives, central office leaders, and staff, resolving concerns proactively without need for formal grievance processes.
• Facilitated clear, consistent communication with staff, families, and community partners to support shared understanding of goals, initiatives, and expectations.
• Ensured building practices aligned with Board-approved policies, district procedures, and state and federal regulations.
• Prepared data summaries, reports, and recommendations for district leadership to inform Board-level decision-making.
• Directed $300,000 Title I budget with expenditures tied to measurable school improvement goals.
• Directed staff CPI training, implemented MTSS and PBIS systems, and coordinated with SRO for incident response.
• Hosted ELA/Math, FAFSA and CCP, and other family programming to support academic culture.

• Ohio Professional Superintendent License
• Ohio Professional Principal License, PreK–12
• Ohio Professional School Counselor License, K–12
• Ohio Professional Teaching License, K–8

• Conferences: Innovative Schools, March 2025; Model Schools, June 2024 and June 2023
• OLi4 Workshop, 2023-2024 and 2022-2023 School years at local ESC
• Presenter, All Ohio Counselor’s Conference – Best Practices for Transition Programs
• PD Leader on MTSS, Instructional Practices, Testing Protocols, Anti-Bullying, and Postsecondary Readiness