Philpot, 46, has been with the district for 10 years, including a short stint as interim superintendent in 2009. He began his career in the Edgewood City Schools as a teacher and coach and has more than 18 years of administrative experience during his 24-year career in education. Philpot, a 1984 Edgewood High School graduate, completed his undergraduate and graduate work at Miami University.
He will begin his post as superintendent immediately after the intended vote on Monday.
He replaces Tom York, who left the district this summer after three years as superintendent to become principal at Oxford Talawanda High School. After York left, Jon Graft, superintendent of the Butler County Educational Services, served as interim superintendent.
Dave French, board president, called the Madison staff and community “vital” to the process of selecting the next superintendent. He said valuable insight was gathered through inquiry with staff and a community feedback form on the district’s website.
Graft said the district and community were seeking a superintendent who offered potential longevity and communications skills. After interviewing Philpot, he immediately “rose to the top of the list,” Graft said. He was the only candidate interviewed, Graft said.
Graft said Philpot has displayed “dedication to the district and community” during his 10 years in Madison.
Philpot said the district is academically in “a great place,” and financially sound.
“It’s a good time for a guy like me to become superintendent,” he said. “Something internally told me it was time for the next level, to see if I got what it takes.”
Philpot is expected to sign a three-year contract and is expected to earn $99,600 a year in salary and benefits, the district said. He earned $94,391 in salary and benefits as the principal.
Philpot’s wife, Kelly, is a teacher in the Edgewood district, and they have two children, Olivia, a junior, and Austin, a freshman, at Madison.
He joked that he once bled Edgewood blue, but now he’s “a converted Mohawk.”
Also at Monday’s meeting, the board is expected to enter into executive session to discuss how it’s going to replace Philpot as principal, Graft said.
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