DARKE COUNTY – During the summer five of the eight districts in the county hired new superintendents, and those new hires are nearing the end of the first half of the year in their positions, and they say they’ve settled in nicely.

Arcanum-Butler Local School District’s new superintendent, John Stephens, is an Arcanum graduate, and he was the elementary principal prior to being hired as the district’s superintendent, he said. With the transition came a change in perspective, he added.

“I do feel that I have the opportunity to have a different impact regarding what I believe I can ‘give back’ to the community. I am more aware of the district’s impact on the community and the community’s impact on the district; and the importance of working together to serve our families and residents,” Stephens commented. “I have a bigger sense of pride for the Arcanum-Butler community. I am blessed to have this opportunity.”

He has also had to change his perspective from focusing on the elementary for the past six years, to focusing on the entire district, he said, though he feels his time as principal made for a smoother transition.

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