Coldwater hires Clyde teacher as principal

COLDWATER - Charles Tackett of Bellevue is the new principal at Coldwater high school.

Tackett, 41, said he is excited to take on the position and intends to bring a positive energy to the district. He was chosen unanimously by school board members among 32 candidates; only two were interviewed.

The position opened up last month when the board decided not to renew principal Steve Keller's contract.

"It's an honor and a privilege to work with such a great school district," Tackett said at Tuesday's regular school board meeting. "I will work diligently for the district, and my whole family is excited about moving."

His starting salary will be determined at a later date.

He and his wife, Barb, have four children. He has been working at Clyde Senior High School as an English, reading and writing instructor for grades 9 and 10. He formerly worked at Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools as a reading specialist and athletic director and at Hamilton Ross Local Schools as a language arts instructor, coach and assistant athletic director. He has been in education for 19 years.

Tackett earned his bachelor's degree in English and secondary education from Miami University in 1993 and a master's degree in reading education in 2001. He also received a master's degree in school improvement leadership from Olivet Nazarene University in 2011.

"We are very pleased to have him with us," superintendent Rich Seas said. "He's an instructional leader, and with all the changes schools are being asked to do across the state of Ohio, he will be a good fit for our school."

Board members also:

• Learned that board member Linda Steinbrunner has been named to the State Level Student Achievement Leadership Team.

• Approved lunch prices for the 2012-2013 school year as follows: grades K-8, $1.85, and grades 9-12, $1.95.

• Went into executive session and then approved supplemental contracts for the upcoming school year.