NELSD Announces Swafford as Kenton Ridge High School Principal, Kushmaul as Northeastern Elementary Principal

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 17, 2025
(937) 325-7615

NELSD ANNOUNCES LORI SWAFFORD AS KENTON RIDGE HIGH SCHOOL PRINCIPAL, AUBREE KUSHMAUL AS NORTHEASTERN ELEMENTARY PRINCIPAL

SPRINGFIELD, Ohio, April 17, 2025—The Northeastern Local School District (NELSD) is pleased to announce two key leadership appointments, with Ms. Lori Swafford being named as the new Principal of Kenton Ridge High School and Mrs. Aubree Kushmaul as the new Principal of Northeastern Elementary School. These appointments, effective for the 2025-2026 school year, represent exciting transitions within our district. The NELSD Board of Education will officially approve both appointments at the board meeting on May 15, 2025.

This transition at Kenton Ridge High School coincides with the retirement of Mr. John Hill, who has served as the Principal for 17 years with 23 total years in the district. The district extends its gratitude to Mr. Hill for his years of service and dedication to our students and community.

"We are incredibly thankful for John's dedicated service and the impact he has had on our students and families," said Superintendent Jack Fisher. "As we look forward to the future, we are very excited about Lori’s transition to Kenton Ridge High School. Her extensive experience and proven leadership will be invaluable as she continues to build upon the strong foundation at KRHS. We are also thrilled to see Aubree embrace this exciting opportunity to serve as the new Principal of Northeastern Elementary School, a role in which she is sure to thrive. Aubree has quickly become an integral part of our district, demonstrating a remarkable positive energy and dedication to our students. We are confident in her ability to lead Northeastern Elementary School forward."

Swafford brings a wealth of experience to her new role. Most recently, she served as Principal of Northeastern Elementary School, where she demonstrated her commitment to fostering a positive and engaging learning environment. Prior to that, she served as Principal of Northwestern Jr./Sr. High School for 18 years and served as Interim Superintendent for Northwestern Local School District for six months. Her career also includes significant experience in Springfield City Schools, where she served as Principal of Springfield South High School for two years, Assistant Principal for five years, and an English Language Arts and Reading teacher for five years.

“Serving as Principal of Northeastern Elementary School and working with our incredible little Jets has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my career. I have truly loved every minute with our students, families, and staff, and leaving is bittersweet,” said Ms. Swafford. “At the same time, I am excited to return to the high school setting, where I spent much of my career, and join the Kenton Ridge community. I look forward to partnering with our students, staff, and families as we build on the strong traditions at KRHS and continue striving for excellence together.”

Swafford holds a Bachelor of Arts in English from The Ohio State University and a Bachelor of Science in Education from Urbana University.  In addition, she has a Master of Science in Curriculum and Instruction from Wright State University, where she also completed her superintendent license. Ms. Swafford lives in Springfield with her husband, Rand Smith, who is an electrical engineer with ToolMatics Inc. Together, they have two children, Madison and Reilly Smith, both proud graduates of the University of Cincinnati.

Kushmaul has been a valued member of the Northeastern Local School District since 2024, when she joined as Assistant Principal at Kenton Ridge PK-12. Her warmth and positivity have made her a beloved figure among students and families alike. As a Northeastern Local Schools alum, Kushmaul's journey through Rolling Hills Elementary, South Vienna Middle School, and Northeastern High School has given her a deep understanding of the district's culture, values, and traditions. This unique perspective, coupled with her firsthand experience as both a student and administrator within the community, provides Kushmaul with valuable insights that will undoubtedly contribute to her success as the new Principal of Northeastern Elementary School.

Kushmaul's educational journey began in 2012 with the Springfield City School District, where she gained valuable experience in a variety of roles. Her diverse background includes serving as a tutor at Snowhill Elementary, a seventh-grade English Language Arts teacher at Hayward Middle School and an Instructional Coach at Kenwood Elementary School, all of which have shaped her into the well-rounded educator she is today.

“This past year at Kenton Ridge has been nothing short of amazing. I’ve truly loved being part of this incredible community—working with such dedicated staff, getting to know our awesome students, and connecting with so many supportive families. It’s been an unforgettable experience, and I’ve learned so much from the people around me,” said Mrs. Kushmaul. “Making the decision to transition from Kenton Ridge to Northeastern wasn’t easy, especially after such an impactful year. But I’m honored to step into the role of Principal at Northeastern Elementary, and I couldn’t be more excited for what lies ahead. I’m really looking forward to building relationships with the students, staff, and families at Northeastern, while also staying connected with the amazing team at Kenton Ridge. I feel lucky to continue growing within this great district.”

Kushmaul has a Bachelor of Science degree in Middle Childhood Education and a Master of Education degree in Middle Childhood Education from Wright State University. She obtained her principal licensure from Wittenberg University. Kushmaul resides in Springfield, Ohio, with her husband, Trevor—a Northeastern High School alum and Jets boys varsity basketball coach—and their two boys.

NELSD is confident that Swafford’s leadership will bring a fresh vision to Kenton Ridge High School, particularly as we work to explore new possibilities in public education and redefine the traditional high school experience. We are equally confident that Mrs. Kushmaul will bring exceptional leadership to Northeastern Elementary School. Her proven ability to drive results, combined with her compassionate approach and genuine interpersonal skills, will be invaluable in supporting a positive and productive learning environment. We are hopeful for the positive impact they will have on our students, staff, and community across the district. 

From leading our little Jets to empowering our mighty Cougars, please join NELSD in congratulating Ms. Swafford as she embarks on this exciting new chapter at Kenton Ridge High School. Also, join us in celebrating Mrs. Kushmaul’s return home to South Vienna as she transitions from helping our little Cougars to guiding our little Jets at Northeastern Elementary School!

About NELSD:
Northeastern Local School District (NELSD) is a public school district located in the northeastern portion of Clark County, Ohio.  NELSD serves approximately 3,000 students in grades PK-12 at two facilities across the district, Kenton Ridge Campus (PK-12), and the Northeastern Campus (PK-12). For additional information, visit www.nelsd.org. 

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