A board subcommittee met this week to plan the search for the next primary and secondary schools chief.

Zelman has not resigned but has privately told the 19-member board that she is one of the finalists for dean of the University of Oregon's College of Education.

"It's no secret she is leaving," said board President Jennifer Sheets of Pomeroy. "I'm just trying to be ready to hit the ground running."

Last week, Sheets appointed six board members to the committee: Virgil E. Brown Jr. of Cleveland, Deborah Cain of Uniontown, Heather Heslop Licata of Akron, Stephen Millett of Columbus, Eric C. Okerson of Cincinnati and Carl Wick of Centerville.

During a meeting Monday night in Columbus, some members said the next superintendent must be able to navigate Ohio's political terrain and build strong relationships with the governor, legislature, educators and school districts.

John Haseley, Gov. Ted Strickland's chief of staff, told members that the governor wants a superintendent who understands Ohio values and the importance of education -- kindergarten through college -- to the state's economy. Finding an Ohioan for the job would be desirable, he and several members agreed.

Zelman began looking for a job after Strickland announced in February a plan to restructure the Department of Education.

The governor, who has been critical of Zelman, wants to appoint a cabinet-level education czar, shifting control of schools from the superintendent and state board.

ccandisky@dispatch.com