A special meeting of the Switzerland County School Board last Wednesday evening, June 27th, was a quick one —but it was also an important one as the corporation moves towards the beginning of the 2018-2019 school year.
At the meeting, Mark Boggs, current math teacher at Switzerland County Middle School, was named as the new assistant principal and athletic director at Switzerland County High School. He replaces David Todd, who was elevated to the principal’s position at the high school on June 18th.
Boggs officially began his new duties this past Monday.
A lifelong resident of the county, Boggs graduated from Switzerland County High School in 1997, and began teaching here in 2002, first teaching special needs for six years before spending the last 10 years teaching math — all at the middle school. He earned his administrator’s license in May of 2013.
“It’s something that I’ve had a little bit of interest in,” Boggs said of the new post. “I didn’t know that it would be as soon as it was. I think this is an opportunity to impact more students. I’ve been fortunate to be an impact for approximately 105-110 kids a year (at the middle school), but now the opportunity to help out and hopefully influence and impact a building full of students is something that I’m really looking forward to.”
And the new job also gives Boggs the chance to work under Todd, a longtime friend and mentor.
“To get the opportunity to work with the leadership of David is very intriguing,” he said. “David and I have been friends for a long time. I have a large amount of respect for him and the leadership qualities that he possesses; and I can most definitely learn a lot from him.”
Boggs said that he and Todd will continue to work closely together to cover all facets of leading the school; but he believes that his primary focus will be dealing with students on a day to day basis and handling discipline issues, just as Todd has done during his time as assistant principal.
And he will also assume the athletic director duties — adding those responsibilities to his “sports plate”, as Boggs is also the girls varsity basketball coach — a post that he intends to keep. That’s a lot of added responsibility, but Boggs feels that it will work well with the help of Todd and other staff members.
Mark Boggs was hired last Wednesday night as the new assistant principal and athletic director at Switzerland County High School. He is shown here after the meeting being congratulated by school board president Katie Collier, left; his wife, LeeAnn; and daughters Carlee and Claire.
“Really, I don’t feel like the season is the issue, because I already go to all the boys (basketball) games and girls games, obviously, I will be at,” Boggs said. “Swimming and wrestling is an issue in that season, but with David’s help, we’ll be able to cover those without much problem. What I really had to put a lot of thought into was the (basketball) off season, because I do so much with the basketball program. To be honest with you, I’ve just got to be really organized with my fall and spring schedules so that I can do my open gyms. There’s a four week window between the end of boys basketball and the start up of spring sports where I’ll be able to still do my little kids camps, so it will definitely keep my calendar full, but I’m confident that it’s going to work out.”
But what truly excites Boggs is the opportunity to have these duties in his hometown.
“I’ve been a Pacer for life, and the opportunity to run an athletic program that I’m very passionate about is very exciting as well. When I walked the halls as a student, I can’t tell you that sitting in the principal’s office was something that I envisioned, but I’ve been blessed to have a lot of good administrators around me who I always looked up to and admired when I was a student. I hope ultimately we’re going to be moral, and we’re going to be consistent and fair; and if that means us having to discipline your child, it’s nothing personal, it’s just part of it. We’re looking out for the best interest of the child and all of our students.”
Boggs and his wife, LeeAnn, live near Vevay, and have two daughters: Carlee and Claire.