Thursday, April 7th, 2011
Vaughn to lead district
Fort Recovery
By William Kincaid
FORT RECOVERY - Elementary Principal Shelly Vaughn has been selected as the new district superintendent.
Board members offered Vaughn the position Wednesday night during a work session.
"It's an honor," she told the newspaper this morning about her new role at Fort Recovery. "This district is excellent and has been excellent."
Vaughn, in her fifth year as elementary principal, also taught at Fort Recovery for seven years and Judge Haynes Elementary in Jay County for four years.
"We are excellent but that doesn't mean we stop growing," she said.
Vaughn said she believes her experience and positions of leadership will allow for a smooth transition to superintendent.
"The transition from a classroom teacher to principal was a big one," she said.
Vaughn, who has degrees from Ball State University and Wright State University-Lake Campus, was selected over three other finalists, including Fort Recovery High School Principal Jeff Hobbs.
"It was a long debate, and it was very difficult," board president Dave Hull told the newspaper.
"She's driven and very focused on academic achievement," Hull said about Vaughn. "She is extremely dedicated and a hard working person who pursues excellence and sets incredibly high standards."
Twenty-one candidates applied for the position.
"They were all very, very good," Hull said. "We were impressed by them all."
Current superintendent Pat Niekamp was hired in July 2009 as interim superintendent after superintendent David Riel left for another job. Niekamp had the job prior to Riel.
Board members are expected to take action on a contract at their regular meeting 7:30 p.m. Tuesday.
