Dear Students, Teachers, Staff, and Members of the Ohio Valley Local School District Community,
Let me first begin by sharing how truly honored, excited, and humbled I am to join the Ohio Valley Local School District as your new superintendent. Throughout this process, I have been deeply impressed by the passion, pride, and commitment demonstrated by the staff, the community, and especially the Board of Education. It is clear that this is a district grounded in strong values and a shared dedication to doing what is best for students.
I would also like to share a bit about my background. I was born and raised in a small rural town in Iowa, where my graduating class consisted of just 84 students. Life was simple—filled with athletics, hard work, and time spent helping on the farm. Those early experiences instilled in me the values of perseverance, teamwork, and community—principles that continue to guide me today.
I was fortunate to earn a college scholarship to play football at Central College, where I completed my bachelor’s degree in education. I later earned my master’s degree and superintendent license from Xavier University. My wife, Paula, and I are blessed with five grown children and five wonderful grandchildren who bring tremendous joy to our lives.
Over the past 30+ years, I have dedicated my career to K–12 public education in Southwest Ohio. I have had the privilege of serving in a variety of roles and have been actively involved in nearly every aspect of building and sustaining high-quality school systems. During my time with Forest Hills Local School District, Springboro Community City School District, Carlisle Local School District, and Milford Exempted Village School District, I played a key role in leading strategic planning efforts. These initiatives helped streamline programs, strengthen alignment with district goals, and most importantly, improve student achievement. I am proud of what was accomplished and grateful to the students, families, teachers, and staff who made that success possible.
As your new superintendent, my focus will be clear: to work collaboratively with our students, staff, parents, and community to build upon the strong foundation already in place while striving for even greater levels of excellence. Together, we will roll up our sleeves and ensure that every student is supported, challenged, and prepared to succeed—not only in school, but in life. Every decision we make will be guided by what is best for our students and their future.
I look forward to listening, learning, and building meaningful relationships across the district. The strength of a school system lies in its people, and I am excited to partner with all of you as we continue this important work together.
Thank you for the warm welcome and the opportunity to serve this incredible community.
Sincerely, Larry R. Hook