Vaughn to lead MCESC

FORT RECOVERY — Local schools will soon have a new superintendent.
Shelly Vaughn, superintendent of Fort Recovery Local Schools, has accepted a new job as superintendent of Mercer County Educational Service Center. Her duties will begin July 13.
She will replace Andy Smith, who retired Dec. 31 but has been rehired for four months to help with the transition to a new leader.
“My passions in education are special education and high quality professional development,” said Vaughn. “Those are the things that are in my wheelhouse. This job allows me to focus on the things I really love.”
MCESC serves as a hub for a variety of services, including those for special education, at-risk students, school psychology and speech.

The county’s five school districts — Celina, Parkway, St. Henry, Coldwater and Fort Recovery — partner in those areas in order to provide services they could not afford on their own.
Vaughn was one of two finalists for the job along with Parkway superintendent Greg Puthoff. She was offered the job last week, and will be officially hired at the MCESC’s March 9 board meeting.
The former Fort Recovery Elementary School teacher and principal said she sees great opportunities in her new job with STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) and career resources.
She has been Fort Recovery’s superintendent since 2012, when she replaced the retiring Pat Niekamp. She will continue in that role through June and help with the transition for her replacement.
“I love Fort Recovery. There are great people here doing great things for kids,” said Vaughn. “That made the decision to apply very difficult, because I didn’t want to leave Fort Recovery. This is just a really great opportunity for me professionally to impact the whole county.”