Diglia
SHAWNEE TOWNSHIP — The former leader of the Elida schools will take over as the superintendent for Shawnee schools starting in August, the district announced Wednesday in a press release.
Shawnee schools hired Don Diglia as superintendent, effective Aug. 1. He replaces Jude Meyers, who retired in July after three years leading Shawnee.
Diglia served as superintendent at Elida from 2004 to 2015. He also led the Ayersville and Reynoldsburg school districts.
“I am excited to join the Shawnee community as the next superintendent,” Diglia said in a press release. “It’s no secret that there are challenges in front of us, but we have a team in place who will work together to overcome these challenges and build on our district’s strong foundations. The Shawnee schools are the heart of our community, and I am prepared to develop plans that ensure long-term success for our schools.”
Diglia inherits a challenge. Shawnee’s five-year forecast shows the district depleting its cash reserves by the end of the 2026 school year, according to data filed with the Ohio Department of Education.
The district also has aging buildings, with its newest buildings, Maplewood and Elmwood, built in 1969 and 1973 respectively. Its oldest building is the existing middle school, constructed in 1924.
While Diglia officially begins in August, he “will immediately start preparing and working with the district,” according to the press release.
“Don can engage the community and build relationships that will position the district to continue our tradition of excellence and chart a path to fiscal success,” said Marlena Schaaf, the school board president, in the press release.
The district also announced that Dean Wittwer will help develop financial health plans for Shawnee schools. He’s the former superintendent of the Allen County Educational Service Center, Findlay schools and Wapakoneta schools. Wittwer volunteered recently to have the district overcome its financial challenges. Now he’ll serve as a contract employee to “ensure the district’s finances are prioritized and balanced,” according to the press release.
