FR board hires Brown

FORT RECOVERY — It’s been a spring of significant school turnover.

The new leader is the latest to be put in place.

Fort Recovery School Board on Thursday hired Larry Brown to be superintendent of Fort Recovery Local Schools.

He takes over for Justin Firks, who in April was hired to as superintendent of Bethel Local Schools in Tipp City. Firks had been at the helm in Fort Recovery for four years.

"I had the fortunate opportunity to meet several community members and staff members throughout the interview process and they made me feel very welcome,” said Brown, who resigned in December from his previous position as superintendent of Wauseon Exempted Village Schools. “I plan to spend some time in Fort Recovery this summer meeting community members and staff members so I can be prepared for Aug. 1. I am excited for this opportunity.”

Brown’s hiring comes at a time when Fort Recovery has had a series of changes at high-level positions.

Those include:

•Treasurer Deanna Knapke following the retirement of Lori Koch.

•Elementary principal Kelli Thobe as Tracy Evers-Westgerdes decided to make a return to the classroom.

•Athletics director Brent Niekamp. He takes over for interim athletics director Barb Sautbine, who returned to her former position to help out after the resignation of Kurt Rammel in December.

•Boys basketball coach Jim Melton following the resignation of Michael Bashore. 

•Girls basketball coach Holly Gann following the resignation of Brian Patch.

Also, high school principal Bill Overla just completed his first year at Fort Recovery. With a three-year experience, middle school principal Tony Stahl is Fort Recovery’s longest-tenured administrator.

Brown was one of two finalists after five candidates were brought in for an initial round of interviews. Fort Recovery School Board president Greg LeFevre said he feels Brown is a good cultural fit for the community and that his 33 years in education are an asset.

“He has 13 years of superintendent experience,” said LeFevre. “And we’ve experienced quite a bit of turnover here in this past year … and we thought someone with experience would add a good, stabilizing force.

“I just think overall he impressed us the most during the interview process. He has good experience where he can step in and take the bull by the horns.”

A native of Sandusky, Brown began his career as a string music specialist for Bellefontaine City Schools. He then became principal of Bellefontaine’s Pine Avenue Elementary School.

In addition to his decades in education, Brown served more than 20 years in the Ohio Army National Guard.