St. Henry hires new elementary principal

ST. HENRY - School board members on Monday evening accepted the resignation of elementary school principal Adam Puthoff as he prepares to take on the role of superintendent.

They hired Courtney Imwalle as the new elementary school principal and approved a $179,892 contract with Farnham Equipment to make the football bleachers Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) accessible.

Board members welcomed Imwalle who currently serves as a third grade teacher at the elementary school. They have not negotiated her salary yet.

Puthoff's resignation was accepted ahead of becoming superintendent. He will replace superintendent Julie Garke who will retire at the end of July after 29 years.

Puthoff is a St. Henry graduate who earned his teaching degree from Wright State University in Dayton. He has served as elementary school principal for eight years. He also taught history to eighth and ninth graders at St. Henry.

He previously taught eighth grade history for two years at Tri County North in Preble County and fourth grade history for four years at Parkway Local Schools.

Puthoff said he has a fantastic working relationship with Garke and noted they will collaborate over the next few months, especially during June and July when Puthoff takes office.

In other business, maintenance superintendent Terry Bills told board members that a ramp will be installed on the home side bleachers of the football field in order to make the seating ADA accessible.

"It's something that's really needed to be done over the years," he said after the meeting.

Garke also said the modifications were necessary, adding district officials have worked toward the project for years.

The school board meets next at 5 p.m. June 12 in the middle school/high school media center.