BY THE EXAMINER STAFF
Ridgemont Schools Board of Education members recently extended a three-year contract to a new superintendent during a special meeting, where members also accepted the resignation of current Superintendent J. Chris Pfister, effective July 31.
Brian Hogan, a former Bellefontaine City Schools teacher, will begin his contract with Ridgemont Aug. 1. His salary was set at $105,000 for the first year.
For the past five years, Hogan has served as the 6-12 principal for Waynesfield-Goshen Local Schools. He also previously was the K-12 principal at Russia Local Schools in Ohio.
“Please welcome Mr. Brian Hogan to the Ridgemont Local School District. The Ridgemont Board of Education is looking forward to Mr. Hogan’s leadership as we continue to move forward in the district,” Board President Paige Wallace said in a release.
“Mr. Hogan’s goal is to be an active and visible member of the community and he is looking forward to getting to know all the people of the Ridgemont community and their walks of life. He looks forward to continuing the positive growth that has been made this past year and helping to guide that growth and momentum even further.
“Mr. Hogan would like the community to know his office is always open for a conversation and invites anyone to reach out by e-mail or phone anytime.”
The incoming superintendent completed his undergraduate degree from Urbana University and began his career as a teacher for Greeneview Local Schools in southern Ohio, then on to teaching at his alma mater of Bellefontaine City Schools.
He obtained his master’s degree in educational leadership and superintendent license program from the University of Dayton and then began his administrative career at Russia Local Schools.
Wallace expressed appreciation to Pfister for his leadership and guidance as interim superintendent then as superintendent. Prior to his time at Ridgemont, he served as a superintendent at Waynesfield-Goshen Schools.
“Mr. Pfister came in at a time the district needed a leader and he stepped in with a unique set of skills and experience for the vision of the district,” Wallace said.
“The board would like to take this opportunity to thank Mr. Pfister for his willingness to commit to the district and lead us for the school year. “We have seen growth, change and development under his leadership and we wish Mr. Pfister and his family the best in their future endeavors.”
Pfister said he and Hogan will be working together in July “to make sure his entrance is smooth and he can hit the ground running as superintendent.”
“It has been an honor to serve the district for one year,” Pfister said. “ I want to thank you for the opportunity. I am confident that the new administration and board will continue to move the district forward. I wish the board, staff and students all the best in the future.”
“The district is moving forward with Mr. Hogan and the dedicated staff I have seen first hand at Ridgemont. I will always be watching the future successes at Ridgemont and I will know it is due to the dedicated staff, students and community. “
Hogan has been married to his wife Lindsay for 16 years and she is a first-grade teacher for Bellefontaine City Schools. They have three children: two daughters Alexis, 11, and Devyn, 9; and a son, Zackary, 2.
The special board meeting that was scheduled to close the financial fiscal year was led by District Treasurer Melissa Pollom.
Officials also noted upcoming calendar events for the new school year, including an open house and community night from 4 to 7 p.m. Monday, Aug. 7, complete with food trucks and games.
The first day of the 2023-24 school year for Ridgemont is Wednesday, Aug. 9.
There is no school on Labor Day, Sept. 4, and the district also is not in session Sept. 5-8 for the Hardin County Fair.
In other action, the board:
• approved the updated contract for Christine Jeffers as guidance administrator for 120 days for fiscal year 2024, effective Aug. 1, at her fiscal year 2023 per diem rate of $340.66;
• approved the addendum contract for Tana Mull, K-5 principal;
• accept the resignation from 7-12 art teacher Erin Dechman, effective July 4; and approved Luke Taviano as 6-12 art teacher for the 2023-24 school year;
• approved the WOCO EMIS coordinator three-year service agreement, effective July 1 to June 30, 2026.
The next meeting is 7 p.m. Wednesday, July 12, in the math room.
HOGAN
