MOUNT VERNON — Steve Short, superintendent of Mount Vernon City Schools, announced his plans to retire effective June 30, 2013.
Short’s 31-year career in education includes 29 years with the Mount Vernon City Schools.
“We are deeply saddened by Mr. Short’s decision to retire,” said Dr. Margie Bennett, President of the MVCS Board. “He has always been a strong proponent of this community and deeply cares about our students and employees. I have the greatest respect for Mr. Short; his decisions evidence wisdom and compassion. He will be sorely missed.”
Short began his career in education by teaching and coaching at Hardin Northern Schools near Ada. After relocating to Mount Vernon, he spent 11 years as a sixth-grade teacher at the Mount Vernon Middle School. During this time, he also coached freshman basketball, junior varsity baseball and all levels of football at the Mount Vernon High School.
Short transitioned into an administrative role when he was named principal at Crestline Middle School, where he spent one year. In 1995, he returned to Mount Vernon to be the principal at Dan Emmett Elementary School, serving in that capacity for nearly a decade. In 2004, he became the director of student services for Mount Vernon City Schools, and was named superintendent in January 2008.
During Short’s term as superintendent, the district received over $1 million in grant funding from the Ohio Department of Education ARRA — Race to the Top, and the Carol M. White Physical Education Program.
Short was recently recognized by the city of Mount Vernon with a Volunteer of the Year award for his work on the City Recreation Board. He currently serves on the executive board of United Way of Knox County, the executive committee of the Knox County Family & Children First Council, and the Mount Vernon Nazarene University Education Advisory Committee.
“I feel like I’m too young to stop working,” Short said, when asked about his future plans. “My plan is to continue to work in the field of education, but in what capacity and where is still in question. My immediate plan is to continue to serve the Mount Vernon City School District to the best of my ability until my retirement at the end of June.”
Short has resided in Mount Vernon for 30 years with his wife, Laura. They have two adult sons, Matthew and Nathan.
The Mount Vernon City Schools Board of Education will begin discussing the transition and next steps related to the position of superintendent at their regularly scheduled January meeting.
