BELLVILLE — For Brian Brown, every day at work is a chance to remember his high school years.
But that’s about to change.
After spending nearly his whole life in the Valley, Brown is retiring as Clear Fork’s high school principal at the end of the school year.
His exit will mark the end of a 32-year career with Clear Fork Valley Local Schools. He’s spent the last 17 years as high school principal.
“It’s one of the most stimulating types of jobs you could ever do. It keeps you fresh,” Brown said.
“Every day, there’s something new. Every day when the kids come in here, they’re either excited about something, they’re sad about something. They bring an energy that is contagious.”
Nevertheless, Brown said the best part has been seeing students excel after high school.
“One of the coolest things is seeing those that graduate and then they come back six or eight years later and they’ve done some really neat things,” Brown said.
“That is probably the best part, to know that somewhere along the lines, you knew them when.”
All-Ohio football player to high school principal
Brown graduated from Clear Fork High School in 1986. During his time as a student, he was a lineman on the football team and was chosen an All-Ohio player two years in a row.
He went on to play football for Muskingum College.
After two years at Mansfield City Schools, Brown spent six years as an intervention specialist, then accepted the role of assistant high school principal.
“It’s funny how your priorities change as you as you get older,” Brown said. “When I first got into education, I was like, ‘I just want to coach and teach.'”
Brown said the desire to make a large-scale impact on things like curriculum and hiring drew him to administration.
He met his wife Sue, a teacher at Bellville Elementary, while obtaining his master’s in education at Ashland University.
Brown said being married to a fellow educator — especially one who works with young children — has influenced the way he approaches working at the high school.
“She may not think I listen to her, but I do,” he said. “I quote her all the time and refer to things that happen in the elementary level.
“It does give you a better understanding of how a kid grows and how their environment impacts them.”
Brown’s advice to younger administrators: Let teachers teach
For the last 14 years, Brown has led the high school with Shawn Ramion by his side.
The school’s boisterous assistant principal described Brown as a calming presence and a good listener.
“It was a good balance between me and him,” Ramion said. “Brian is just a good guy. You can go and talk to him about everything. He listens; he has good advice.”
Ramion said his colleague’s greatest strengths have been his approachability and refusal to micromanage staff.
“He lets people teach,” Ramion said. “Teachers appreciate you letting them do their job.”
For Brown, letting teachers take the lead just makes sense. So is supporting educators’ love of their field.
“They all got into education for a reason,” Brown said. “Whatever their passion is, give your time and resources to help them because when those teachers are really in a passion project, that’s good for the kids.”
Supporting those passions has led to the development of several unique electives at the high school, from specialized history classes on the Holocaust and Vietnam War to courses on mythology and life skills.
“I’ve always felt very good about the people I’ve hired to work here in the district,” he said.
“I’ve always believed what (former Ohio State University football coach) Woody Hayes would say, ‘You win with people.'”
Band director Jason Brasure said he’ll miss Brown’s dependable leadership.
“Through my 19 years of working with him, we have faced many a wonderful occasion but also many crisis moments, not the least of which was COVID-19,” Brasure said.
“I knew without having to ask that he would see us through that situation in the best manner possible.”
Art teacher Jennifer Irwin said she’ll miss Brown’s kind heart.
“He manages everyone with gentleness and understanding,” she said. “He’s not one to jump on the defensive.”
Jennifer Klaus will succeed Brown as principal
Several pieces of Clear Fork history hang in Brown’s office — a Kelly green pennant that hung in the old gymnasium nearly half a century ago, one of the last 1970s football jerseys he couldn’t bear to see thrown away.
Brown said his hope for the district is that future leaders will continue to cherish the district’s history and instill a sense of identity in its students.
“I want the community to know they have one of the most incredibly special school districts in the state of Ohio right here,” he said.
“They need to remain vigilant and protect it. Stay involved in the schools as much as possible. Donate your time.”
The Clear Fork school board voted in April to hire current middle school principal Jennifer Klaus to take Brown’s place.
He said he has full confidence in his successor.
“We’ve been through COVID together,” Brown said. “I’ve always greatly relied on her insight and her ability to manage. I think the high school is in great hands.”
