Overman leaving as FRHS principal

FORT RECOVERY — Marcus Overman grew up in New Bremen.

He graduated from New Bremen High School.

He lives in New Bremen.

So when the New Bremen High School principal job came open, it was a natural fit.

New Bremen School Board on Wednesday hired Overman as its new high school principal.

“It’s a good fit because I’m a 2005 graduate from New Bremen,” said Overman, who has served two years as principal at Fort Recovery High School and previously worked in the Dayton area. “Once we started having children we want to move back home …

“I absolutely love the community that we live in. A lot of great people. When it opened up, it was kind of like a dream come true.”

A special session of Fort Recovery School Board is scheduled for Friday to officially accept Overman’s resignation.

He is contracted with Fort Recovery through July 31, but said he plans on using about two weeks of vacation this summer in order to be able to get a jump on the transition to his new job. His contract with New Bremen officially begins Aug. 1.

“Marcus was clearly the best candidate as far as what we are looking for in our next high school principal,” said New Bremen superintendent Jason Shrader. “He is a community member, graduated from New Bremen. We’re really excited to have him come back home.”

For Fort Recovery, the process of finding a new high school principal will begin after Friday’s meeting. Superintendent Justin Firks said he hopes to have Overman’s successor in place quickly.

“The sooner the better,” he said. “I would hope ideally by middle to late June we’ll have somebody in place. But we’re not going to rush it. We’re going to make sure we get the right person as well.”

Fort Recovery School Board in February approved a contract extension for Overman to remain as FRHS principal through the 2020-21 school year after the school board in February approved a three-year contract extension. That extension came on a 4-1 vote with board member Greg LeFevre dissenting.

Overman said he had not been looking for a new job and that the chance to work in New Bremen would have been attractive to him regardless, but acknowledged that the 4-1 voted “didn’t sit well with me.” He also referenced some recent issues with negative posts on social media.

As he moves to the New Bremen job, he will help oversee a transition to a single campus as the district is starting this summer on a building project that will move all grades to the current high school location on Ohio 274 on the east side of the village. As principal, Overman will be in charge of grades seven through 12.

Superintendent Justin Firks complimented Overman on the work he has done in his two years at Fort Recovery, referencing the high school’s recent College Success Award form GreatSchools.org and it’s No. 77 state ranking from Cleveland.com.

“I think he’s done a fantastic job in his two years here as far as establishing positive relationships with teachers … and also with the students,” Firks said. “We’ve made some great strides in the last few years.

“We appreciate his time and service and wish him the very best as he moves forward and on to New Bremen.”

As he prepares to depart the FRHS principal job, Overman expressed gratitude for his time spent working with teachers, students and staff in the community.

“I want to thank the school board that was in place and Justin for giving me the opportunity,” he said. “I learned a great deal in two years … The staff here is phenomenal. I can’t thank them enough for everything they do for this community and the students. … The students here are top notch.

“The two years that I’ve had here I wouldn’t trade for anything. It’s not like I was looking for other jobs. It’s just the job that popped open is the one I’ve always had my eye on.”