ANDOVER — The popular Aerosmith song says, “We’re back in the saddle again,” only this year at Pymatuning Valley, we have some new riders. The Pymatuning Valley community has welcomed a new superintendent, Alex Geordan, and a new high school principal, Van McWreath.
Geordan, completed his undergraduate degree at Kent State University and graduate studies at Youngstown State University. Before coming to PV, he was at LaBrae Local Schools where he has served more than 15 years as a teacher, coach, middle and high school principal.
McWreath, a Youngstown State University alumnus, left Lakeside High School where he has served the past several years as head football coach and assistant principal to join our administrative staff.
To find out more about our new leaders, we recently had an opportunity to interview each of them separately. We first sat down with the new principal. Having been an Excellent-rated high school for three years running, we asked McWreath what his plan is to maintain that status. McWreath stated that, “Since testing is harder and state report cards are changing in three years, our staff is beginning a pilot program to help meet state requirements.”
McWreath said while being excellent three years running is an amazing feat to have accomplished, we must “push for excellence even more” this year. “One of the reasons we’re excellent is because we have good kids; we can’t rest on that,” he said.
In addition, we asked McWreath some questions about what he liked about PV and what the transition was like for him. He told us that he really likes how much the students participate in school and community events.
We asked McWreath the difficult question, “What is it like to take the job after a principal like Jeffrey Meddock?” McWreath replied that he knew that no one would replace a beloved figure like Meddock. “You can replace decisions, but you can’t replace the person,” he said. “I’m here to do the job, and I’m going to be who I am.”
Oct. 3 was the first anniversary of the passing of our former high school principal, Jeffrey Meddock.
A few days later, we had the chance to speak with Alex Geordan. Geordan told us that the school’s relationship in the community is what brought him to PV. He said the district is the “hub” of the community. “No matter what it is (we do), we have community that appreciates our kids,” Geordan said.
He also indicated that it was really important to keep the lines of communication open, especially to make sure that the homes of the students know what is going on in the schools. He felt that communication with the homes is a key to making sure that we maintain the excellence that has been established in the district.
“We need to make sure we are working to improve indicators,” Geordan added.
Even though it has only been a short time in the position, we asked Geordan if he felt that he has positively impacted the district so far. He replied, “I believe so. It’s the one goal I had coming in, to not make drastic changes but improve.” He elaborated that he has been working with the staffs of all the buildings and has brought in professional development opportunities with some particular attention to reading instruction and language arts.
The reins may have been passed, but some traditions hold steady. The 15th annual Laker Chili Cook-Off will be Oct. 30 from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. in the high school cafeteria. The scrumptious menu will include all-you-can-eat chili, Italian bread, cornbread, dessert and beverage. The price is $4 per adult, $3 per seniors and students, and those under 6 may eat for free; carry-outs will be available. To enter your chili, call Cyndi Feydo at 293-6488 to obtain an entry form. The annual categories are “Hot & Spicy,” “Thick & Hearty” and “Unconventional.” This year’s profit will be going to the WAVE (We All Value Education) Committee, and an award of $25 cash prize will go to the winner of each category.
