CHARLOTTESVILLE — Adam Barton was a student at Eastern Hancock Middle and High School 30 years ago. Now, he’s back there learning once again — this time about how to succeed as the schools’ new principal.
He he’s looking forward to sitting down with Eastern Hancock students and faculty to find out what the schools do "that has to stay, that’s incredible" before asking what they’d like to see improve and how they can all work together to achieve it.
"I think it would be crazy of me to come into a four-star school and say, ‘Here’s all the things that are going to change,’" he said, referring to the state designation of excellence announced earlier this month.
The Eastern Hancock School Board unanimously approved Barton’s contract earlier this week. Those involved in selecting Barton said his desire to learn and collaborate made him stand out as a candidate. After leaving his current post as assistant principal of New Palestine High School, Barton will succeed his former teacher and longtime Eastern Hancock principal, Dave Pfaff. One of his colleagues says New Pal’s loss is Eastern Hancock’s gain.
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Barton, 47, graduated in 1990 from Eastern Hancock High School, where he played basketball, baseball and tennis while participating in National Honor Society and student council.
He said he wanted pursue a career in education because of the several members of his family who have worked in the field, including an aunt who worked in Greenfield and Knightstown.
Barton earned a secondary education degree in biology at Franklin College before teaching science for two years at Southwestern Jr./Sr. High School in Shelbyville. He moved to New Palestine in 1996, where he taught high school computer and science classes, led the science department and coached varsity boys basketball for 10 years. He earned his administration license through Ball State University before becoming New Palestine High School’s dean of students for four years and then assistant principal for the past two.
Colleagues he’s taught and coached with over the years have been significant influences on his career, he said.
He’ll start as principal at Eastern Hancock’s middle school and high school in July.
"This is something my wife and I have been talking about for quite a while now," Barton said at the school board meeting earlier this week. "We’re really excited that this evening is happening. Not many times do you get an opportunity to jump into a four-star school and have the opportunity to still meet familiar faces."
Barton’s wife, Julie; daughter, Jordan; and son, Kyle were among the audience that filled Eastern Hancock High School’s cafeteria for the meeting.
After the meeting, Barton described his leadership style as flexible. He said he likes to gather feedback when pursuing significant decisions, but can also make them himself when time does not allow for consensus, like in school safety situations, for instance.
In his remarks during the meeting, Barton expressed his gratitude toward Pfaff for being part of his transition to his new position. Pfaff is retiring after 20 years as principal.
That transition was already under way earlier this week, when Barton attended a meeting with Eastern Hancock Middle School teachers.
Barton said he has fond memories of Pfaff as his U.S. history teacher at Eastern Hancock about three decades ago.
The feeling is mutual, Pfaff told the Daily Reporter.
"I couldn’t be happier with who I’m leaving the school with," he said.
Pfaff said he’s known Barton since he was a child and spoke highly of his character, work ethic and down-to-earth demeanor.
"He was a very good student, he was a very good athlete, but best of all, most important of all, he was such a young man of high character," Pfaff said. "… Everybody respected him, everybody liked him. Then and now, no one had a bad word to say about him."
He has watched Barton be a successful student, athlete, teacher, coach and administrator with a history of success that he said will continue at Eastern Hancock.
"He will do wonderful things with the people here," Pfaff said.
Superintendent Vicki McGuire said that at the beginning of the search for the principal position, faculty compiled a list of the qualities they wanted. One of them was someone who would lead alongside them rather than dictate, she continued, adding that was something Barton exemplified.
"His heart is at Eastern Hancock," McGuire said.
A hiring committee made up of Pfaff, McGuire, school board members, teachers and administrators considered about 20 candidates for the position. McGuire said it was important to enlist a multi-dimensional group to ensure an array of perspectives.
Pfaff led the middle school and high schools well, "and we’re going to be able to carry that on through Adam Barton," McGuire said.
Jim Jackson, an Eastern Hancock School Board member, said he admired how Barton during the interview process did not propose any radical changes to the middle or high schools but instead wants to learn about what’s already in place.
Jackson was one-fifth of the board’s unanimous approval of Barton’s two-year contract with a $103,000 annual salary.
Lisa Truitt, assistant principal at Eastern Hancock Middle and High School, said she was very happy with the school board’s selection and excited for Barton to come on board. She added Barton’s leadership style lines up with where Eastern Hancock is as a faculty.
Kelli Brown, guidance counselor for Eastern Hancock High School, said Pfaff’s confidence in Barton puts the staff at ease as they prepare to lose their leader of the past two decades.
Angeline Blocher’s two children have gone to Eastern Hancock since kindergarten. One will be a senior next year and the other a freshman. She said while neither she nor her husband are from the area, Eastern Hancock is like a family, and she’s glad the corporation has found a principal that fits in well with that family.
Scott Johnson, an Eastern Hancock School Board member, said he voted in favor of Barton because of his experience and familiarity with the school corporation. Barton came highly recommended from other educators and administrators, Johnson continued, adding he admired the new principal’s transition plan and desire to preserve the schools’ culture.
"We think Adam’s not going to miss a beat," Johnson said.
New Palestine High School Principal Keith Fessler said there wouldn’t be enough time to talk about what it’s been like to work with Barton over the past several years.
"He’s professional in everything he does," Fessler said. "He’s great with the kids, great with the adults, he’s one of the best leaders I’ve ever met in any capacity, he’s just a fantastic guy. They are really lucky to get him because he’s amazing."
Barton has creative ideas for education and is talented at playing on people’s strengths — both teachers and students, Fessler said.
"He’s really good at putting people in positions to be successful," he added.
Fessler said he was pretty certain Barton would get the new job when he first told him he was pursuing it. That confidence only grew as the process continued, Fessler went on to say.
"On a personal level I’m excited for him to have this opportunity but it’s going to be a big loss and those are really big shoes to fill," Fessler said.
Julie Young, New Palestine High School’s dean of students, is also leaving to accept a principal position in Greenwood. Fessler said the school has posted Barton’s position as an associate principal opening and Young’s as a assistant principal opening. Applications have started coming in, he added.
"They’re just getting a phenomenal person and a great leader as well," Fessler said of Barton. "Their gain is our loss."
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"I couldn’t be happier with who I’m leaving the school with."
Dave Pfaff
Outgoing Eastern Hancock Middle and High School principal
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