After an emotional Susan T. Zelman announced her long-expected resignation yesterday, Strick- land reiterated his desire to take more control over education, pushing it to the top of the state's agenda much as he did with higher education last year.

Zelman's resignation came as the governor works on his "education reform agenda," a proposal he pledged to unveil next year.

Strickland said he wants her successor "to be a person who can partner with me to be a strong advocate for public education."

While the Ohio Constitution stipulates that the State Board of Education appoints the superintendent, the 19-member panel has assured Strickland that he will have input.

"This is a big step forward," he said. "The chairman of the board has indicated that I can fully participate in the search for a new superintendent."

John Haseley, Strickland's chief of staff, has attended both meetings of a board subcommittee working on the search. Yesterday, the group considered proposals from four search firms and decided to recommend that the board hire Worthington-based Hudepohl & Associates to find and screen potential candidates.

Board President Jennifer Sheets said there is no schedule for the search, but she expects it to move quickly.

Sen. Joy Padgett of Coshocton, one of two nonvoting legislative members of the state board, also wants an effective advocate in the superintendent's job.

"I want this person to be strong. The next superintendent has to create a sense of urgency," said Padgett, a Republican. "This next leader can have all the qualifications but must be able to deliver the message so that it becomes a mantra for everybody involved in making sure our students are educated so they become competitive in a global economy."

Strickland and Sheets both support a national search, but a qualified Ohioan might have an edge.

"An Ohioan would be desirable," Strickland said.

Zelman's announcement yesterday was somewhat anticlimactic; she essentially has been a lame duck since February, when Strickland unveiled his plan to appoint an education czar, a move that would strip control from the superintendent and state board.

Strickland acknowledged yesterday that the General Assembly is not likely to move on his proposal, but Zelman's fate is sealed.

Zelman promised to stay until a new superintendent is named and remain in an advisory capacity until Dec. 1. She does not have another job but is one of three finalists for dean of the College of Education at the University of Oregon.

Speaking at a departmental employee awards event, Zelman expressed pride in her nine years on the job but said she is looking forward to new challenges. She got three standing ovations from Education staffers in the Riffe Center auditorium.

"As I prepare to move on, I am proud of the people who have stood with me and worked alongside me and served this great cause of truly making Ohio schools a model for the nation," Zelman said, her voice cracking with emotion.

After her talk, Strickland received a somewhat chilly reception. About a quarter of the crowd stood and applauded when he was introduced.

"I want to thank her for her love of this state and her love of those of you who have served under her, and especially for your love of the children of this state," the governor said.

ccandisky@dispatch.com