After 25 years serving the Worthington City School District, Assistant Superintendent Paul Cynkar will leave to accept a position as managing director of operations with Battelle for Kids.

"Battelle for Kids is doing some great things for students, schools and teachers," Cynkar said. "They are on the cutting edge of initiatives in assessment, professional development, data management, technology and communication and I've worked with them on and off on some small projects in the past.

"They were looking for someone for their operational piece and for the future of their organization and I thought they were a good match," he said.

Cynkar has been assistant superintendent since 2001.

He began his career in Worthington in 1983 as principal at Perry Middle School, then in 1984 became principal of Worthingway Middle School -- a job he'd hold for 14 years.

"Worthingway was named a Blue Ribbon School in 1987, and that was a tremendous honor," Cynkar said. "They really deserved and valued the recognition and it was a good place for kids."

In 1998, Cynkar moved into the central office as director of teaching and learning until 2001, when he became assistant superintendent.

"At the central office, we tried to tackle the tough issues we had, like declining enrollment, and often had to deal with issues that didn't have easy solutions," he said. "When people look back on the decisions we've made that weren't very popular in the community, I think they'll see those decisions have proven to be good ones, in terms of merging schools and preparing us for the future -- they have been cost-effective and have served kids well."

Cynkar said his latest venture was organizing the 21st-century learning initiative, in which teachers came up with ideas for "schools within schools," such as Phoenix Alternative Middle School at Perry.

"We've given our teachers an opportunity to dream and envision learning environments like Phoenix and the International Business Academy and Credit Recovery," he said. "To see teachers take a vision and create a quality program is really positive and a great thing to see."

Cynkar said he will miss working with Worthington schools.

"I love everything about the district," he said. "It is a difficult thing to leave the district and my colleagues and the teachers and all the things we have going on. I'm excited about the way we are looking at our schools in the future and making improvements in all areas, along with cultivating relationships with our community."

"I will really miss working with (Superintendent) Melissa (Conrath)," he said. "She is a positive and steady force in the district."

In a letter to staff members, Cynkar wrote:

"I have struggled with the decision because I am so passionate about this district and the staff members who work here. I have never had a day in 251/2 years that wasn't interesting, exciting and challenging. The district has defined much of my life and you have been part of my family."

Cynkar said he won't begin working at Battelle until Dec. 1.

Conrath said she'll work to find an interim replacement.

"We're looking to secure interim staff for Paul's duties and to carry out his job responsibilities through the end of the year," she said. "We'll advertise the position in the winter and hope to get someone on board this upcoming summer. It's hard to find anyone in the middle of the school year, but we cannot not fill the position because there are too many things Paul had on his plate to let that position go unfilled."

Conrath said she'll miss her "right-hand man."

"Paul has been wonderful and was very supportive of me when I came on board," she said. "He has skills in areas I don't, and I'll certainly miss him very much."

Battelle for Kids is located in Columbus and was established through a partnership with the Ohio Business Roundtable, supported by an initial grant from the Battelle Memorial Institute.

The organization supports educators in areas of professional development, consulting and training, data management and technology, research and evaluation and communication, Cynkar said.