After being principal of Powell Middle School, Mr. Jason Sleep will take on a new role of assistant superintendent after Mr. RJ Kost retires after this school year..

A Powell native, Mr. Sleep is looking forward to taking on the position and is ready for a change.

“I am very excited for this new challenge,” Mr. Sleep said. “Having served as a middle school principal for 18 years, I think it’s time to try something new. I will however, miss the interaction with students and teachers on a daily basis. My commitment and service to the kids of Powell will never change, especially in this new position.

District staff are looking forward to Mr. Sleep taking on the position.

“Mr. Sleep is a consummate professional,” superintendent Mr. Jay Curtis said. “He is a man of character, integrity and is exceptionally skilled in the art of education.”

Added Mr. Kost: “Good people are chosen for the position. He has been in education for quite a while, and I think he will do a very good job.”

The people taking up the open positions are already working for the Powell school district. Mr. Kyle Rohrer will be the middle school principal and Mr. Chanler Buck will be the middle school assistant principal and athletic director.

“I prefer hiring from within if I can, and that system has produced fantastic results for me over the years,” Mr. Curtis said. “A person can come in with great recommendations, say and do all the right things, but you really do not know who you have until they have been on the job for three to six months.”

Mr. Kost agrees with hiring from inside the system.

“I think it is very good for continuity and continued growth in your system,” Mr. Kost said about hiring people already from the same district. “It does have a tendency to not allow outside input to make changes. You will be able to have a smooth transition with quality progress.”

Mr. Sleep thinks that Mr. Rohrer and Mr. Buck will do a good job in their new roles.

“Mr. Rohrer is a strong leader and I believe his vision for the middle school will set our students up for success now and in the future,” Mr. Sleep said. “The staff and students of the Powell Middle School are in good hands with Mr. Rohrer being the principal and Mr. Buck as the assistant principal/activities director.

Mr. Kost has enjoyed his years in Powell. He was a math teacher from 1982-2005. He took up the curriculum job in 2006.

“To be totally honest, this has been a wonderful place and I had a wonderful, wonderful time here since 1982,” Mr Kost said. “Over the years, I have taught at the high school, they have been very precious to me. All the students I have had all along is absolutely life changing. The curriculum job has been great. This is a wonderful system with wonderful kids.”

Mr. Kost is looking forward to retirement, but he will stay busy by running for senate.

“I have decided that I am going to put my name in for running for senate from District 19 and be the senator if I am elected,” Mr. Kost said. “I am going to try to bring some change to the legislature and keep being involved in something other than twiddling my thumbs.”

Mr. Kost will be missed by the staff from all of his years working in Powell.

“I will say what a privilege and honor it has been to work with Mr. Kost,” Mr. Curtis said. “His character and integrity are above reproach, and he will be sorely missed. The timing is not an issue for me in any way, as it would always be hard to replace Mr. Kost.