MICHAEL P. HANLON, JR.
Mentor,Ohio
Summary
Visionary and results-driven educational executive with more than 40 years of leadership experience in public education, including 27 years as superintendent in suburban, urban, and rural school systems. Proven expertise in organizational leadership, educational transformation, fiscal stewardship, collective bargaining, capital project management, legislative advocacy, and community engagement. Recognized statewide for leadership in the development of Ohio’s landmark school funding reform and for sustained organizational excellence, financial stability, and exceptional student achievement. Demonstrated ability to lead through complexity, build stakeholder trust, secure voter support for critical initiatives, and align organizations around long-term strategic success.
Overview
36
36
years of professional experience
Work History
Superintendent
CHARDON LOCAL SCHOOLS
Chardon, Ohio
01.2013 - Current
- Chief executive officer of a high-performing suburban/rural school district serving approximately 2,450 students. Provide strategic leadership for all district operations including finance, personnel, curriculum, policy development, facilities, technology, communications, and community engagement.
- Led district to sustained academic excellence, consistently performing among Ohio’s highest-performing school districts.
- Restored public confidence, securing passage of two operating levies after six previous unsuccessful attempts.
- Directed significant fiscal, operational, and organizational reforms that stabilized district finances and strengthened long-term sustainability.
- Implemented districtwide one-to-one technology initiatives and instructional modernization strategies.
- Appointed by the Ohio General Assembly to the Bipartisan School Funding Workgroup.
- Served as Co-Chair of the Distribution Committee responsible for development of Ohio’s Fair School Funding Plan, enacted in 2021.
Superintendent
PAINESVILLE CITY LOCAL SCHOOLS
Painesville, Ohio
01.1998 - 01.2013
- Chief executive officer of a culturally diverse school district serving approximately 3,000 students.
- Directed completion of $91 million school construction initiative with Ohio Facilities Construction Commission, delivering five new schools on time and under budget, enhancing educational facilities for students.
- Managed annual budgets exceeding $60 million across all operating and capital funds.
- Led implementation of the Professional Learning Communities framework, resulting in measurable gains in student achievement and value-added performance.
- Directed implementation of the Ohio Improvement Process to strengthen instructional systems and graduation outcomes.
- Led nine operating levy, renewal, and capital campaigns over fifteen years, securing essential funding for district initiatives.
- Successfully responded to significant enrollment growth and demographic change through expanded educational programming.
- Negotiated five successful collective bargaining cycles utilizing traditional, interest-based, and compressed negotiation strategies.
- Developed strategic partnerships with civic, governmental, and business leaders, fostering community engagement and support for district programs.
Assistant Superintendent
PAINESVILLE CITY LOCAL SCHOOLS
Painesville, Ohio
01.1995 - 01.1998
- Directed districtwide continuous improvement planning, fostering broad stakeholder engagement to drive strategic initiatives.
- Led executive initiatives in curriculum, instruction, personnel administration, professional development, transportation, educational technology, and labor relations to enhance district performance.
- Secured funding for district technology infrastructure through SchoolNet and SchoolNet Plus initiatives, enhancing technological capabilities.
- Implemented transportation routing systems that improved operational efficiency and service delivery.
Elementary Principal
MENTOR EXEMPTED VILLAGE SCHOOLS
Mentor, Ohio
01.1990 - 01.1995
- Led a 450-student elementary school within an 11,000-student district.
- Secured annual venture capital grant funding, enabling innovative school redesign and enhanced professional development initiatives.
- School recognized by the United States Department of Education as one of 109 Safe, Disciplined, and Drug-Free Schools nationally.
- Led district administrative training in Baldrige organizational improvement, fostering a culture of continuous improvement across schools.
- Chaired district Educational Technology Committee, driving strategic integration of technology to enhance student learning experiences.
Education
Ph.D. - Urban Education (Educational Administration)
Cleveland State University
Cleveland, OH01-1996
M.Ed. - Curriculum and Instruction
Cleveland State University
01-1987
B.S. - Elementary Education
Cleveland State University
01-1983
Skills
- Strategic leadership and governance
- Public policy development
- School finance management
- Collective bargaining strategies
- Organizational development initiatives
- Capital planning expertise
- Community engagement practices
- Legislative advocacy efforts
- Instructional leadership techniques
- Technology innovation implementation
- Crisis leadership skills
- Workforce development programs
Statewide Leadership And Professional Activities
- Member, Ohio Bipartisan School Funding Workgroup, 01/01/17, 12/31/22
- Co-Chair, Distribution Committee, Ohio Fair School Funding Plan
- Adjunct Professor, Kent State University
- Adjunct Professor, Lake Erie College
- Adjunct Professor, Cleveland State University
- Presenter, Leadership, finance, school improvement, facilities, safety, and innovation
Civic And Professional Leadership
- Member, Buckeye Association of School Administrators
- Board Chair, Ohio Schools Council
- Board of Directors, United Way of Lake County
- President, Rotary International (Painesville Rotary)
- Member, Chardon Rotary
Honors And Recognition
- Exemplary Leadership Award, Buckeye Association of School Administrators, 2025
- Exceptional Service to Ohio’s Schools Award, Buckeye Association of School Administrators, 2021
- Outstanding Service Award, 2002
- Ashland Oil Teacher Achievement Award, 1988
- British Petroleum Outstanding Economic Educator Recognition, 1987
Publications
- What Choice, School Choice: Intradistrict Open Enrollment Under Ohio’s S.B. #140, Hanlon, M.P., 1994
- Lifespan Development: An Overview, Hanlon, M.P. & Karger, M., 1989
References
Professional and personal references available upon request.
Earlier Professional Experience
- Cleveland State University, Visiting Assistant Professor
- Mentor Exempted Village Schools, Teacher
- South Euclid–Lyndhurst Schools, Classroom Teacher
Executive Profile
Visionary and results-driven educational executive with more than 40 years of leadership experience in public education, including 27 years as superintendent in suburban, urban, and rural school systems. Proven expertise in organizational leadership, educational transformation, fiscal stewardship, collective bargaining, capital project management, legislative advocacy, and community engagement. Recognized statewide for leadership in the development of Ohio’s landmark school funding reform and for sustained organizational excellence, financial stability, and exceptional student achievement. Demonstrated ability to lead through complexity, build stakeholder trust, secure voter support for critical initiatives, and align organizations around long-term strategic success., Strategic Leadership, Governance, Public Policy, School Finance, Collective Bargaining, Organizational Development, Capital Planning, Community Engagement, Legislative Advocacy, Instructional Leadership, Technology Innovation, Crisis Leadership, Workforce Development
Timeline
Superintendent
CHARDON LOCAL SCHOOLS
01.2013 - Current
Superintendent
PAINESVILLE CITY LOCAL SCHOOLS
01.1998 - 01.2013
Assistant Superintendent
PAINESVILLE CITY LOCAL SCHOOLS
01.1995 - 01.1998
Elementary Principal
MENTOR EXEMPTED VILLAGE SCHOOLS
01.1990 - 01.1995
Ph.D. - Urban Education (Educational Administration)
Cleveland State University
M.Ed. - Curriculum and Instruction
Cleveland State University
B.S. - Elementary Education
Cleveland State University