(Posted Aug. 11, 2017)
By Linda Dillman, Staff Writer
When the doors open at West Jefferson High School for the 2017-18 school year, a new principal with 23 years in education will greet students on the first day.
Michael Bute was hired earlier this year by the Jefferson Local School Board to replace David Metz, who retired July 31 after decades as an educator and principal.
“Mike was a consensus pick,” said Superintendent William Mullett.
Approximately 55 other candidates applied for the West Jefferson principal position after Metz announced his plans to retire.
Bute spent 10 years as a principal before taking the position at West Jefferson.
“I began my teaching career as a middle/high school mathematics teacher at Lincolnview Local Schools,” said Bute, a 1990 Antwerp High School graduate and 1995 graduate of the University of Toledo.
“I was in the classroom for 13 rewarding years, but I believed it was time to pursue an administrative position. I have been a principal at Leipsic Middle/High School as well as Antwerp Middle/High School.”
Bute said he enjoys enjoy working with students to help them develop the necessary skills and knowledge needed to be successful and finds it very rewarding when students return to share with him the positive impact he had on their educational experience.
“As a principal, it allows me the opportunity to provide a safe and engaging learning environment for the staff and students,” Bute continued. “My plan is to work collaboratively with the staff to assure our students are graduating with the necessary skills and content knowledge to be successful in their post-secondary endeavors.
“There are many challenges facing students and staff in the world of education, but we as a school, along with our community, will work together to get through the challenges.”
Bute’s wife, Jennifer, is a dental assistant in oral surgery. Their oldest son, Justin, is an Oberlin College graduate working at a dental research laboratory in Fort Wayne, Ind. Their youngest son, Jarett, is working in the pipefitters union at the Lima Refinery.
In his spare time, Bute said he enjoys spending quality time with his family.
