Ed Everman has served on Arcanum-Butler School District 20 years

0

ARCANUM – The National School Boards Association suggests that the four major thrusts of leadership for school boards include the following: Vision, Structure, Accountability and Advocacy.

According to Superintendent of Arcanum-Butler School District John Stephens, School Board President Ed Everman has not only met those recommended leadership qualities, he has exceeded them. Board President Ed Everman is celebrating his twentieth year as a board member with the district. Everman has honorably served the students and school community as a dedicated leader, Stephens said.

“I have known Mr. Ed Everman for many years and have had the pleasure of working with him at Arcanum-Butler for the last ten years, in my roles as principal and superintendent,” Stephens said. “Ed has a great perspective on education, understanding the roles of educators as well as the importance of the school community’s involvement in the decision-making process.

“He has been instrumental in the completion of the school building project, advocating on behalf of our school community to provide a building that functions properly and is a source of pride,” Stephens added. “It is a pleasure serving alongside Mr. Everman.”

Everman was first appointed as a board member for two years, due to a vacancy, in 1998. He had previously been urged to run, but his children attended Arcanum – Butler schools. During that time he did not want to be on the board, he said. Over 20 years, Everman has seen many changes come through the district, such as required testing modifications and meeting the state standards.

“Also, there are more expectations of students, as far as curriculum and the amount of credit hours required of them,” he said.

Some of the challenges Everman sees the boards facing are: stretching the general fund dollars, maintaining a good pay scale to keep good employees and keeping up with the Ohio Department of Education’s standards.

“The board has done a good job as far as maintaining a decent cash balance,” he said. “We have a great administrative staff, teaching staff, custodians, bus drivers and cafeteria workers. We try to keep a good pay scale so we are competitive. Every year, there are more and more changes from the state department. It is a challenge, but our administration and board staff keep up well.”

Everman said he thinks everyone should be involved in the community in some way.

“To be on the board for the right reasons, to support the school district and the education of our students, was my opportunity to give something back to the community,” he said. “I enjoyed serving, as my kids all went to school there and received a good education, and I appreciate that. I wanted to make sure the standards remained, and the board did a good job maintaining that.“

The board’s biggest accomplishment has been its enrollment increase, Everman said. A Virtual Academy was started, which includes some home-schooled students.

“That has been a real plus for our district,” he said. “Also, getting our new building built, which we had talked about that for several years. We were fortunate enough to purchase the property at a good price. We offer a lot to the kids – the very best we can to the students. We always want to offer everyone a good education and that opportunity is there for everyone.”

For now, Everman is undecided about his future with the board. He is in his last year of this term. “Somebody can be on a board long enough, and I am contemplating that right now,” he said. “It is good to have new members with new ideas.”

Everman will receive an award recognizing his 20-years of service at the Southwest Ohio Region meeting, March 14, at the Warren County Joint Vocational School.

Arcanum-Butler School Board President Ed Everman is celebrating his twentieth year as a board member with the district.
https://www.dailyadvocate.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/web1_evermanPRINT.jpgArcanum-Butler School Board President Ed Everman is celebrating his twentieth year as a board member with the district. Courtesy photo

By Carolyn Harmon

[email protected]

The writer may be reached at 937-569-4354. Join the conversation and get updates on Facebook search Darke County Sports or Advocate 360. For more features online go to dailyadvocate.com.

No posts to display