At the February board meeting at Mercer Elementary, the board adjourned to Executive Session and returned to the public portion following a jaunty and celebratory beginning to this month’s meeting.
Agenda item 7 indicated they’d exit to discuss the Employment of a public official, and when they returned, Larry Hook read a prepared statement announcing his retirement, with an effective date of July 31, 2026.
Larry Hook began his career in Ohio 36 years ago. He has held teaching and coaching roles as well as administrative positions across Southeast Ohio, joining Forest Hills Schools in 2022. Mr Hook did not provide additional information for the announcement, only that he was looking forward to a new chapter.
Hook spoke of the pride he has had in the work he’s done throughout his career, and especially in his last few years here in Forest Hills. He specifically highlighted the support for the levy in 2023 and the impact it has had on the district assets and buildings since it passed.
Larry Hook recently applied for a role with the State Board of Education (SBOE), which they announced at a public meeting in early February. The resume Mr Hook provided to the SBOE is available here for reference.
Larry Hook had been approved for a contract extension by the prior board, and his contract had terms that would have kept him as Superintendent through the 2026-2027 school year. Hook enjoyed the highest salary Forest Hills has ever paid a Superintendent, with the state reporting he was earning over $202K per year.
The board announced they would hire a recruitment firm, and begin the search immediately with the intent to complete the transition through the summer, with a new hire ready for the 2026-2027 school year.
Superintendent contracts for Forest Hills are available here for reference. We’ve requested them previously through public records request and provide access to them here for reference only.
Advocate FHSD 
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