Friday, November 7th, 2014
Overman retiring
By Kathy Thompson
NEW BREMEN - The board of education on Wednesday night accepted the resignation of superintendent Howard Overman.
Overman, whose last day is June 30, has served as superintendent of New Bremen Local Schools since January 2012. He spent 35 years in education, including 20 years with the district.
"It's hard to believe," Overman said Thursday night. "I've enjoyed every minute of it. But you know when it's time to go. There are some good things happening in education right now and some things I just shake my head at. But I want to go when I'm feeling good about it and when I'm healthy. I want to go out on my terms."
Overman said he currently has no plans for the future.
"I'm sure I'll find something," he laughed.
The process for finding his replacement will begin this spring, he said.
"I hope they're able to bring someone in a few weeks before I'm actually gone," he added. "Having someone help you is a big relief when you first step into this position. It's like going from assistant coach to head coach, a big jump, and it takes a couple of years to get used to it."
He previously worked as a teacher and assistant principal at the school. Overman became superintendent after the resignation of Ann Harvey.
Scott Bertke, president of the school board, said Overman had "a very positive influence on not just the students, but the entire school district.
"He's been a strong advocate of the students," he said.
In other school business this week, the board,
• approved the purchase of a new school bus for $87,852. The 2015 Blue Bird All American passenger bus will carry 84 students. The bus was purchased through the Ohio Educational Purchasing Council consortium from Cardinal Bus Sales in Lima. It will replace the oldest bus in the fleet, which was acquired in 1999.
• learned the Bremenfest committee donated $2,000 toward the middle school band stand.
