GREENFIELD — When Greenfield-Central High School’s new assistant principal, Steve Wherry, was introduced at the school board meeting Monday night, principal Jason Cary jokingly referred to him as a boomerang — someone who leaves the school only to return again.
Wherry spent five years teaching math at the high school in the mid ‘90s before leaving to teach for nine years at Perry Meridian High School, then serving seven years as associate principal and the last seven years as principal at Knightstown High School.
The Mt. Vernon High School graduate is happy to be back at the Greenfield-Central schools.
The board unanimously approved his hiring at Monday’s board meeting.
Wherry will replace Dave Beal, who retired last year after serving more than 20 years as assistant principal.
Wherry starts work July 1, joining Carey and fellow assistant principals Susie Coleman and Nathan Bruck.
“I believe that Steve is going to be a great addition to our team,” said Coleman.
“He brings a great deal of school knowledge, and I know he can share that knowledge with us to only help us improve. He has a calm demeanor that will serve him well when things get busy,” she said.
Wherry said he’s thrilled to get back to the high school in his hometown of Greenfield, where his daughter, Sydnie, is a junior this year.
“I’m extremely excited to get started. It’s a great opportunity for me,” he said.
At Greenfield-Central, Wherry will help oversee about 1,450 students, compared to the 330 students at Knightstown High School.
He’ll quickly transition from one school system to the other, starting work at Greenfield-Central the day after his contract in Knightstown ends June 30.
While he looks back fondly on his time at Knightstown High School, Wherry said he’s looking forward to starting a new chapter at Greenfield-Central, fulfilling his dream of serving as an administrator at a large-scale school.
“I always said that if (former assistant principal) Dave Beal‘s job opened up that I’d be interested in it,” said Wherry, who lives in Greenfield with his wife, Stacie, and their daughter, Sydnie.
Wherry earned his bachelor’s degree from Wabash College in 1992. He then earned his teaching license and master’s degree from Butler University and his administrative license from Ball State University.
His favorite pastimes include spending time with family, playing golf and cheering on the Fighting Irish football team of the University of Notre Dame.
Cary said Wherry’s 14 years experience at Knightstown High School, as well as the 14 years he spent teaching, will make him a great fit to lead students and staff at Greenfield-Central.
“As the principal of a 2A school, Steve has worn many hats in order to be successful. He has been the backbone of (Knightstown High School) for so long, and he has so much experience to draw on,” said Cary.
“With his personality, it will be a seamless transition with our staff and our students. Everyone who knows Steve or who has worked with him raves about what he will bring to our building.”
