“When he came in, he sold himself,” Ellenberger said. “He’s very well versed in curriculum and finance. He’s a people person. He wants to learn. He wants to learn more.”

Bell is chairman of a 17-school healthcare consortium, a position he will have to resign because Hermitage is not a member of the consortium.

Ms. Biblis said it was obvious to her from the first interview that Bell was the man for the job.

“Everything he answered was just what I wanted to hear,” he said.

But, board members said, they followed through with the extensive selection process created by Midwestern Intermediate Unit IV, Grove City, which included three rounds of interviews and the community visit.

“As a board we really did our homework,” Rob Gelesky said.

Gelesky added that he and Bell have mutual acquaintances, and his friends gave Bell glowing reviews.

“My only regret is I don’t get to work with you very much,” Mrs. Ionta said. “We’re going to make you a Hornet again.”

She handed Bell a thick binder of information that she said he had asked for, and told him, “You have some homework, dear.”

“The school district is going to be in good hands,” Mrs. Ionta said. “You have good people to work with.”

“I appreciate the confidence you’re placing in me,” Bell said. “I take this job as serious as everyone in this room.”

The board awarded Bell a four-year contract with a starting salary of $118,000. Bell said he is working out the details of his severance from Shenango, and did not know when he would start work at Hermitage.