ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT, DAVE PILATI

Trevor Ragan says, "The best growth happens when we expand out of our comfort zone." However, when individuals leave their comfort zone, it often causes them to experience some degree of uncertainty, struggle, challenge, and/or change, which usually leads to some level of fear, stress, and/or anxiety.  Educators can help students understand that it's normal for them to feel some degree of stress, fear, and anxiety when they leave their comfort zone.  As Assistant Superintendent of Teaching and Learning, Dave’s focus is to ensure all North Canton educators are provided with the necessary knowledge and resources to allow them to help all students leave their comfort zones and experience the best possible growth. 

An educator since 1992, Dave earned his Bachelor's Degree in education from Bowling Green State University and Master's Degree in school administration from Ashland University.  He has been a high school math teacher in the Minerva and Plain Local school districts, an assistant principal and curriculum director in Plain Local, and a curriculum consultant at the Stark County Educational Service Center. He is also a graduate of the 25th Class of Leadership Stark County and serves on the state of Ohio's Algebra Content Advisory Committee. 

Dave and his wife are the proud parents of two children, including one Hoover High School graduate and one who soon will be.

Dave Pilati
Assistant Superintendent
(330) 497-5600 

TREASURER, TIM WALKER

Working together to move our school district forward has been a theme of the last five years in North Canton City Schools. After spending 15 years as a college coach, faculty member and administrator, Walker was chosen to lead the athletic department at Hoover High School in 2016. After serving the last five years in that capacity, he will now join the NCCS District office in the role of Director of Development and Special Projects.  

"I am so thankful for this opportunity to continue to work with North Canton Schools in this new role,” said Walker. “My wife and I have been residents of North Canton for over 10 years and our children are students in the district, so we have seen firsthand the quality of education in North Canton. This is truly an exciting time in North Canton City Schools, and I am happy to be able to contribute to the team as we continue to move forward as a District. I am thrilled to be partnering with such a great team of administrators, and I look forward to the opportunities ahead." 

Tim Walker
Treasurer
(330) 497-5600

DIRECTOR OF BUSINESS, TODD HENNE

Todd began his career in the North Canton City Schools as a high school English teacher in 1998. In addition to coaching football and basketball for the Vikings, Todd also earned his National Board Certification in the English Language Arts. In 2004 he became an Associate Principal at Hoover High School.

Todd serves as the Director of Business for the NCCS, a position he has held since 2012. He is responsible for the physical structures and the performance of services that make them good learning environments. He has oversight of maintenance, custodial, food service, transportation, district registration, buildings and grounds, purchasing and district rental agreements, and is the school district’s safety director.

Todd earned bachelor's degrees from Edinboro University and the University of Akron as well as master's degrees in curriculum/instruction and educational administration from Ashland University. He and his wife reside in North Canton with their three children.

Todd Henne
Director of Business
(330) 497-5600 

DIRECTOR OF TECHNOLOGY, KIM NIDY

Before coming to the district office as an Innovation Specialist, Director of Instruction, and now as Director of Technology, Kim spent 20 years in the classrooms of North Canton Hoover High School. This does not count the years she spent here as a student. Kim's passion for teaching and active learning, as well as her vision for the integration of technology as a learning tool in the classroom were driving factors in the district's $4.6M Straight A Fund grant award from the Ohio Department of Education in 2013.  

With a Master's Degree in Educational Leadership, Kim is also a graduate of the 29th Class of Leadership Stark County and serves on Junior Achievement of North Central Ohio's Executive Board as a Co-Program Committee Chairperson.  She recently received Certified Education Technology Leadership (CETL) certification through the Consortium for School Networking (CoSN).  

Kim and her husband are lifelong residents of North Canton.  All three of their children are graduates of North Canton City Schools.

Kimberly Nidy, CETL
Director of Technology
330-497-5600

DIRECTOR OF SPECIAL SERVICES, JOHN WELCH

It takes special people to work in special education and John is among the most special. He coordinates more than 500 special education students and a staff of more than 100. John says his goal is to ensure our full spectrum of services is being delivered to all students, particularly those with special needs, so that all students are showing personal growth and achieving.

John manages the budget, serves the District Leadership Team, works as a Response to Intervention member, and oversees homeless student needs and preschool students with disabilities. He also coordinates professional development, planning and coordination of inclusionary models, and development of special delivery models.

John received his bachelor's degree from Mount Union and his Masters from Ashland University in Administration. In addition to his license in Pupil Services Administration, he holds his principal licenses for elementary, middle and high school along with a superintendent license. 

John Welch
Director of Special Services
(330) 497-5665

DIRECTOR OF INSTRUCTION, MICHELLE HOSTETLER

With a strong desire to serve others and a passion for literacy, Michelle brings 30+ years of education experience to North Canton City Schools. As the director of instruction, she is anxious to help students and staff continue to improve and achieve.
 
 As a classroom teacher for 16 years, Michelle understands the needs of students as well as the importance of professional growth for teachers. Working as a literacy coach for five years, and  as an ELA consultant for the Stark County ESC, Michelle has much experience in working with and providing growth opportunities for teachers. She enjoys actively listening to their concerns while discerning how she can best help them achieve their goals. It is this desire to serve and help others that still motivates Michelle who is now in her sixth year with North Canton City Schools.
 
With a master's degree in curriculum and instruction, Michelle is passionate in working with an already successful staff to help them strengthen their skills even more.

Michelle Hostetler
Director of Instruction
(330) 497-5600

DIRECTOR OF DATA SERVICES AND TESTING, MICHAEL COPPA

As district testing coordinator, Mr. Coppa oversees the coordination, scheduling, data uploads and downloads, and logistics pertaining to the administration of all state testing within the district. Additionally, he also is responsible for performing the same tasks for all district diagnostic testing, which helps monitor student growth and provides teachers with valuable data to help them plan their instruction and intervention for all students. 

Michael Coppa
Director of Data Services and Testing
330-497-5608 

GIFTED AND TALENTED COORDINATOR, DENISE COOLEY

Denise Cooley serves the North Canton City School District as the Gifted and Talented Coordinator. Mrs. Cooley has served as Gifted Coordinator, Grant Writer and Professional Development AIR ELA Leader at the East Central Ohio Educational Service Center, and she has taught eighth-grade reading at Indian Valley Middle School. She has been an active member of the Tuscarawas County Literacy Coalition, the Ohio Department of Education Model Curriculum Committee and the Ohio Department of Education ELA AIR Content Advisory Committee. Mrs. Cooley has helped secure numerous grants in her career, including a 21st Century Grant for $150,000 to provide after-school programming to students who are economically disadvantaged and showed a need for tutoring in reading and mathematics.

Denise Cooley
Coordinator of Gifted and Talented Services and English Learner Services
(330) 497-5600

DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT AND SPECIAL PROJECTS, SCOTT CAMPBELL

Scott Campbell
Director of Development and Special Projects
(330) 497-5600 

ATHLETIC DIRECTOR, TOM OAKES

Tom began his career in North Canton City Schools in 1998 as a high school mathematics teacher and a varsity assistant basketball coach.  After stints as a Hoover Math Department Chair and the North Canton Middle School Athletic Director, Tom became an Associate Principal at Hoover starting in the 2012-2013 school year.

Tom is looking forward to the opportunity to lead the Athletic Department at Hoover High School. “Our goal is to have an outstanding group of coaches lead our student-athletes to become competitive players, positive teammates, and impactful and successful citizens after their Hoover playing days have concluded. I look forward to working with our student-athletes, coaches, and staff at North Canton City Schools.  I am excited to work with the parents and the entire North Canton community to continue our ‘Tradition of Excellence’ in Academics, Arts, and Athletics.”

Tom earned a bachelor’s degree in Mathematics from Kenyon College, his teaching certification from the University of Cincinnati and Kent State University, and a master’s degree in Educational Administration from Ashland University. Tom and his wife reside in North Canton with their two children.

Tom Oakes
Athletic Director
330-497-5660