The Madison-Plains Local School District (MPLSD) held their regularly scheduled board of education meeting on Tuesday, June 15, 2021. Along with numerous other items, the district hired a number of new staff members for the coming academic year. Of particular note, the district hired two new administrators. Newly hired are Mr. Kyle Huffman, who will serve the district as its junior high/senior high school principal, and Mr. Matthew Welsh, who will serve as the district’s athletic director.
Huffman joins the MPLSD team with sixteen years of experience as the high school principal at Triad Local Schools. Prior to serving as a principal, he was a social studies teacher, also at Triad, for seven years. MPLSD Superintendent Chad Eisler said, “We are excited to have Mr. Huffman join our team. He is a veteran administrator, and his knowledge and experience in leading a building will be a benefit to our staff and our students. He is a student-centered and compassionate leader who puts the needs of the students at the center of his decisions.”
Huffman earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Wright State University. His bachelor’s degree is in education, and his master’s degree is in educational leadership.
With regard to beginning his tenure at MPLSD, Huffman stated, “I am excited to bring my experience to Madison-Plains and help support the district in its goal to enhance student achievement.” Huffman replaces outgoing principal Ms. Ann Boerger.
For its athletic director position, Matthew Welsh comes to education after more than twenty years of working experience in the corporate world. Welsh decided to make the move to education because he felt he was not working in an area where his focus was as strong as it could be, so he went back to school to earn a master’s degree in athletic administration at Ohio University. Though his position at MPLSD will be his first in the field of education, he has had successful internships at some large high schools and is ready to accept the challenge of being a full-time athletic director. Of Welsh, Eisler stated, “Matthew Welsh comes highly recommended to us by those with whom he has worked during his internships, by his graduate school colleagues, and by his professors. These people spoke about Matthew’s passion, enthusiasm, diligence, and what a fantastic person he is. We are very pleased to bring him on board and have him begin working with our coaches and athletes.”
In addition to his master’s degree in athletic administration, Welsh also has a master’s degree in business administration from Ohio Dominican University, as well as a bachelor’s degree in health and physical education/athletic training from Kent State University.
On beginning his tenure at Madison-Plains, Welsh stated, “I can’t wait to get started. I’m super excited to be a part of this school district and to start building relationships with this community, the teachers, the coaches, but most importantly the kids.” Welsh replaces Mr. Brandon Wright.
In other hiring news, the district also hired Mr. Dan McCulloch as its next instrumental and vocal music teacher/lead band director. McCulloch comes to Madison-Plains from Ridgemont Local Schools where he has spent the last four years serving as their director of bands. Prior to his time at Ridgemont, McCulloch also taught at Vanlue Local Schools and Willard City Schools. McCulloch is a graduate of The Ohio State University where he earned his bachelor’s degree in music education. McCulloch replaces Mrs. Renee Hostetler.
The board also approved a resolution to place on the November ballot a renewal request for the 1.25% earned income tax that is set to expire at the end of calendar year 2023. This is the first of two resolutions that have to be passed to have the proposal placed on the ballot for the fall election. The issue was on the spring ballot, and nearly passed, coming up short by just 3.9%. District leaders are hopeful that a second attempt in the fall will be successful as the district looks to continue their efforts to help the community understand the need for the renewal. “The request is being sought to help stabilize district finances. We have worked hard to control expenses while enhancing the service we provide. We have evidence that things are heading in a positive direction, and we want to keep it moving that way. Stabilizing district finances will help us to be able to engage in some longer-term planning, which will be beneficial for the learning opportunities we will be able to deliver to our students,” stated Eisler.
Other board action moved to allow two overnight field trips for district students. One trip is for the high school’s FFA officers to attend Ohio FFA camp, and the other trip is for the high school’s boys’ basketball team to travel to Marietta for a team camp.
The district’s next regularly scheduled meeting is Tuesday, July 20, 2021, at 7:00 p.m. in the District Meeting Room.
Pictured are Chad Eisler, Matthew Welsh, Kyle Huffman, and Anthoula Xenikis.
