Michael Aurin, assistant principal at Dublin Jerome High School, will be the new principal at Jonathan Alder High School. He succeeds Phil Harris who is retiring after 31 years at the school. The Jonathan Alder school board approved a three-year contract for Aurin at their April 13 meeting.
(Posted April 19, 2015)
By Sandi Latimer, Staff Writer
For the first time in over three decades, Jonathan Alder High School will have a new principal.
On April 13, the school board approved the hiring of Michael M. Aurin, an assistant principal at Dublin Jerome High School since 2012, to replace Phil Harris who is retiring after 31 years.
Superintendent Gary Chapman said Aurin has a strong background in educational leadership and curriculum development and experience with student intervention.
“We are excited about his leadership as he is energized and ready to be part of all the exciting developments in Jonathan Alder Schools,” Chapman said.
Aurin earned a bachelor’s degree in biology from The Ohio State University in 1999, a master’s degree in major secondary instruction from John Carroll University in 2000, and a master’s degree in major educational leadership in 2011 from Miami University of Ohio. He is licensed by the Ohio Department of Education to teach life sciences and to be a principal for grades 5-12.
Aurin taught physical science and biology at Dublin Scioto High School from 2000 through 2004 and biology at Dublin Jerome High School since 2004.
“He came through a month of interviews with the board, the administration, staff and student leaders,” Chapman said.
Thirty-six people applied for the position. The field was narrowed to 11 for the round of face-to-face interviews.
Commendations
Also at the April 13 meeting, several student-athletes and coaches were singled out for their performances in bowling, wrestling, basketball and cheerleading.
Rusty Walter was recognized for being named the Mid Ohio Athletic Conference boys’ bowling Coach of the Year. Four team members—Nathan Yoder, Nathan Whiting, Zach Otto and Broderick Besinger—were named first-team all conference. Whiting was a gold medalist and Yoder a silver medalist in district competition. Yoder was also conference Bowler of the Year.
The boys’ bowling team won the MOAC league and tournament titles, were sectional and district champions, and placed seventh in the state tournament.
On the girls’ bowling team, Mackenzie Heimlich and Kaylee Griest were named first-team all-MOAC, and Heimlich was a silver medalist at the district level.
In wrestling, Ron Thomas Sr. was named the MOAC Coach of the Year. Wrestler Troy Caldwell grappled his way to second place in his weight class in the conference competition, first in sectionals, first in district and first at the state level.
Andrew Koenig was named to first-team all-MOAC in basketball.
The competition cheer team was recognized for being regional qualifiers, placing third in state competition, and being named grand champion in the Ohio State Spirit Series.
Also recognized were members of Girl Scout Junior Troop 2945 and Brownie Troop 2137 for donating 150 boxes of Girl Scout cookies to the after-school program at Plain City Elementary. Sufficient Grace Inc. was recognized for its efforts on food drives at Monroe Elementary.
Other board action
The board approved a lock-in on May 8 for gifted students at Canaan Middle School. Students will participate in problem-solving activities and share ideas about how to be successful as they advance to junior high and senior high school.
The board approved an overnight leadership camp in July for seven members of the high school band. The band boosters will help the students pay for the trip.
The next school board meeting is at 6:30 p.m. May 11. Meeting dates for June and July were changed. Those meetings are now set for June 24 and July 20.
