ARCANUM—The Arcanum-Butler School District held a regular school board meeting on Thursday evening.
The board approved high school principal Jason Stephan’s resignation, and approved a contract for a replacement principal.
Stephan has been in education for about 20 years, and spent about 12 of the 20 years at Arcanum-Butler School District.
School board member Kelly Norris said Stephan’s resignation letter was probably one of the most heartfelt he’s read.
“I know it was a tough decision for you, because the letter is a page and a half long,” he joked. “I want to congratulate you. It seems like you set a very high bar here. I think moving forward you will feel good about what’s going on here. So, thank you.”
Superintendent John Stephens said the interview process was interesting.
“Jason and I have worked together this whole time,” he said. “When I talk about what we have to offer, and what I think is a great job to walk into, that’s the work that he’s done. It’s a legacy. We appreciate you. I get to look good because of the people that work for us.”
Stephan said he greatly appreciates all of the board’s support over the years.
“Each of you, and former board members, all the people involved, I really appreciate what you’ve done for me, and let me do,” he said. “Some of those zany things we’ve tried and done. You guys have given me an opportunity to try all that. I greatly appreciate it.”
Next, the board approved a two year contract for Tyler Cates as high school principal.
Stephens said if they’re going to lose Stephan, than they’re excited to get Cates.
He added that Cates, a 2006 Arcanum alumni, is excited to get back to the school.
“Ty’s passion for the trojans, bleeding orange and black, we share that,” he said. “If you know Ty, he wants to be the best at everything he does, and make everything great for the kids. What we know in him is that we’re getting a quality individual, who shares our beliefs and who’s going to go to work and do that enthusiastically.”
Stephan will be move on to be the high school principal at Brookville City Schools.
Lastly, the board approved Kevin Brackman as the varsity boys basketball coach. Brackman will replace coach Roger McEldowney.
Stephens said choosing the new coach was not an easy decision.
“I appreciate Abbey Moore, our athletic director, for making the tough decision,” he said. “Kevin is going to do great things. He’s got a great background. He’s been teaching with us, he was our JV coach. I think he’s the next guy who can lead the Trojans.”
Brackman teaches sixth grade science at Arcanum, and is also the head tennis coach at Milton Union.
The Arcanum-Butler School District Board of Education meetings are held on the second Thursday of the month beginning at 7 p.m., in the Board of Education Office located at 2011 Trojan Avenue.
