New principals ready for school year
Hillsboro leaders switch roles; Goessel super takes on another one
By JENNIFER WILSON
News editor
Several new teachers will be entering Hillsboro and Goessel schools this fall.
But they're not the only new faces around the halls.
Three principal positions have been changed at Goessel and Hillsboro. And while the men filling those roles aren't new to the districts, they will see new job responsibilities this year.
Hillsboro Middle School
Corey Burton is the new principal at Hillsboro Middle School.
Burton takes over the position vacated by former principal Evan Yoder, who will now serve as principal of Hillsboro Elementary School.
This is Burton's first go-round as a principal. For the past nine years he's been a business teacher at Hillsboro High School, but becoming a principal has been a goal of his for several years.
"I'm very excited about starting the new position," he said.
Burton said he'll like the new role because it involves working with both adults and students. And it's a chance to influence a larger system, not just one classroom, he said.
He's glad to be coming into a school with so many experienced teachers.
"The kids have done really, really well here," Burton said.
He also has praise for the office staff.
"I'm really glad I have the support staff I have at this office," Burton said. "They help me out a bunch."
Leaving his former teaching job behind also meant leaving his position as head wrestling coach — something new to Burton.
"It's going to be a little bit different," he said.
Hillsboro Elementary
Evan Yoder isn't leaving his job as principal — he's just migrating down a few grades.
Yoder is taking over the principal position at Hillsboro Elementary, which recently came open when Dr. Pat Call left to become the new superintendent at the Hill City school district.
"Dr. Call did a super job down there," Yoder said. "I've got some big shoes to fill."
Although he's been the principal of HMS for 12 years now, Yoder is no stranger to the elementary grades. During his first 10 years in the Hillsboro district, he taught first grade for eight years and fifth grade for two years.
"I've always liked this grade level," he said.
Each grade is different and brings its own unique challenges, Yoder said.
But he'll miss the students and staffers he's come to know at the middle school.
"It's tough to leave that staff," Yoder said.
Goessel Junior/ Senior High
There's no doubt about it: Chet Roberts is going to be a very busy man this year.
In addition to his responsibilities as superintendent of USD 411, Roberts will also take on the role of principal at Goessel Junior/Senior High School. The position was left vacant after former principal Stuart Holmes resigned.
Roberts has optimistic words to describe his new challenges.
"It'll be some exciting times," he said.
Why didn't Goessel hire another high school principal? It was a financial decision, Roberts said. Also, the school has gone with the two-administrator system in the past. John Fast is still principal at Goessel Elementary School.
Roberts knows that the new scenario isn't the most ideal and not everything will get done that's been done before, but he said the new situation will work.
"It's doable," he said.
Roberts has been the USD 411 superintendent for three years now. He's looking forward to being around students more.
"I enjoy being around the kids," he said.
