Ushering in a new era
• Bridgeport hires new school superintendentBy KIM NORTH, Times Leader Staff Writer
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Most baseball coaches hate the word rain.
And Ted Downing is among them.
However, he had a good reason to pray for rain Tuesday.
Although he is still head baseball coach and principal at Eastern High School in Brown County, the 57-year-old was named the new superintendent of the Bridgeport Exempted Village School District during the monthly board of education meeting held at the Central Office building.
"I was praying for rain. Really, I was," admitted Downing. "I really wanted to be here, so everything worked out."
With 35 years of experience on his resume, Downing said he is excited about his new opportunity.
"I'm looking forward to coming here and being part of Bridgeport and the Bridgeport School District," he told the board following the unanimous 5-0 approval of board president Mike McGrath's recommendation, which calls for a 3-year contract.
"I want to be involved in the district and I want to try and attend every function that comes down the pike," he added.
Downing has been in his current position as principal of the Sardinia-based high school since 1991. This is his ninth year as baseball coach.
"I have a few commitments to take care of on the other end," he acknowledged. "My baseball team is currently 10-0 and we went to the regionals last year with a 25-2 mark.
"But the people here at Bridgeport know those things," he continued. "They are willing to work with me, and I appreciate that."
As much as he is into athletics, he is even bigger into the academic side of things.
"My main focus is going to be on academics, and I know that Bridgeport has a rich tradition of academics and athletics. This is already a good district. I just want to try and make it a better one."
Downing's first official day is Aug. 1, but he will be in the village much sooner than that.
"I really hope to be here before that getting to know my way around, both the village and the school district," he said. "I want to get to know the people, the staff and the students. I think it's important for me to get to know the building principals and see what I can do to help them."
He said the size of the district is what lured to apply online for the position in the Ohio Valley.
"I grew up in a small, rural district," he said in reference to Waverly, Ohio. "I'm excited about the opportunity I have to come up here and use my skills and my experience to better this district, but like I said, this district is in good shape. It's financially soluble, but the academic scores just need some improving."
McGrath said that a total of 18 individuals applied for the position, which was created by the untimely death of long-time educator and superintendent Mark Matz. The long and thorough search was narrowed to four, of which Downing was selected.
"Ted possessed the three main qualities that we were looking for," McGrath explained. "He had experience. He had management skills. And he had the right personality for our district."
McGrath also commended the 5-member board, especially vice president Roger Stewart who spearheaded the search, and interim superintendent Jerry Narcisi for their diligent work.
In addition to his high school duties, Downing is also presently an Adjunct Instructor at Southern State Community College in Hillsboro, where he resides. He also filled several positions during his 17-year stay with the Greenfield Exempted Village School District in Greenfield, Oh.
A graduate of Waverly High School, he attended Otterbein College where he majored in Health and Physical Education and minored in Science. He received his Master's of Education in Counseling from Xavier University and performed post-graduate work at Xavier for two years.
North can be reached at knorth@timesleaderonline.com
