Selvey named BSHS principal
By SALLY BOYD
Neighbors Editor
"My summer 'vacation' has just ended," said a smiling Steve Selvey Monday morning after being named the new principal at Bellevue Senior High School.
A one-year contract was unanimously extended to Selvey, 53, during the traditional end-of-year special meeting called by the board of education to approve all fiscal year-end adjustments. Despite the one-year contract, terms of which were not announced, Selvey's resume lists his goal as a "desire to lead Bellevue Senior High School into the next decade."
Selvey, who has been assistant principal at the high school for the past two years, was picked to replace Francis Scruci, who is the new superintendent of the Wellington School District. Selvey was one of 17 to apply for the post and became the last man standing when the field was narrowed to five for interviews on Friday, June 27.
Initial interviews with the finalists were held Wednesday, June 25, by a committee which included BEA President Robert Hoffman, OAPSE representatives Bill Reis and Karen Irons, longtime BSHS instructor Sharon Neifer, and a community member, Paige Rectanus, the latter picked by board President Dr. Ted Clark.
Final interviews were conducted by incoming Bellevue Schools Superintendent Bud Martin, incoming Assistant Superintendent Darrell Hykes, Interim Superintendent Steve Schumm and Interim Assistant Superintendent Richard Acierto.
In addition to Selvey, the other four finalists were:
* Jay G. Arbaugh, of Ashland, currently principal of Bryan City High School;
* Chadwick R. Esler, Wickliffe, currently assistant principal of Perry High School;
* David O. Heflinger, Huron, currently principal of Buckeye Valley HighSchool and former principal at Fremont Ross High School;
* Betty Jean Kozak, Woodville, current assistant principal of Defiance High School and a former intervention specialist with Fremont City Schools.
Although by morning's end Monday Selvey had not yet been contacted with "official" notification, he was pleased about the board's vote, which was made with no discussion or comment.
"For two years, I have served this community as assistant principal. I now have the opportunity to expand that at Bellevue High School as principal. I look forward to serving the staff, the students and the community," Selvey said.
A resident of rural Tiffin, Selvey says that remaining in his current home will not have any bearing on his visibility and participation in BSHS activities.
"I am not moving, but if I was asked about my weaknesses, I would say one is my inability to say 'no' to events (involving schools). My wife, Laurel, is principal of Hayes Elementary School in Fremont. She knows I will be here (at BSHS) for whatever it takes... I support all the kids and all the programs. I am not a music principal, an FFA principal, an art or a drama principal...I am a principal for all. I will be a part of all activities, even to the extent of overdoing it. You will see me at many events."
Selvey, who has been in education for 32 years, says he is looking forward to leading BSHS, adding he expects good communications from staff, students and parents and will likewise be a good communicator in return.
"As long as we get good communications from all sides, we will do just fine," he said.
Prior to coming to Bellevue in 2006, Selvey served as superintendent of the Old Fort Local School District for three years. Before that, he was with the Mount Gilead Exempted Village Schools for seven years, serving as a middle school principal, junior high principal and junior high/middle school athletic director.
He began his career in 1977, teaching junior high social studies and American history classes at West Muskingum, where he was also a junior high football and basketball coach. He served in the same capacity for several years in the Norwalk City Schools, including a three-year stint as the junior high athletic director, before becoming principal of Urbana Senior High School.
After leaving Urbana, Selvey began the first of two separate stays at Mount Gilead, starting as the junior high principal then senior high principal during the first employment; his second stint was as middle school then junior high principal. In between, he was principal at Crestline High School for two years.
"I am very much looking forward to this opportunity. I know the staff, I know the students. I intend to tackle this job with 100 percent enthusiasm."
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