Rich Dackin
LIMA — At a special school board meeting, Bath Superintendent Rich Dackin announced that he is resigning effective July 31. Dackin has been serving in the district for 26 years. On June 20, 2017, Dackin transitioned from his position as the district’s assistant middle school principal and athletic director to replace Dale Lewellen as the district’s superintendent.
“I am resigning my position for personal reasons to focus on my health and family. I have served in the district for 26 years and am thankful to have worked with such great people. Moreover, I am grateful for the opportunity to continue to serve in the district moving forward.”
In a joint statement with Dackin released Wednesday, the Bath school board said that it plans to initiate a search for Dackin’s replacement shortly.
“The board of education is committed to setting up a thorough and comprehensive superintendent search process and looking forward to prioritizing community engagement and feedback from parents, students, staff and the school district community as a whole,” the statement read. “The board of education intends to initiate the process by requesting proposals from search firms to assist in its search for our next superintendent, and Mr. Dackin is dedicated to assisting the district with the transition of leadership.”
Dackin’s roots in the Bath school district go back even further than 1997, being a Bath alumnus himself.
“I think I’ve counted almost 38 years I’ve been in the district, going back to growing up and going to school here,” Dackin told The Lima News in 2017. “I’ve been a student, a teacher, a coach, an athletic director, an assistant principal and a parent.”
Dackin pointed to not just his personal history with the district when he became superintendent, but he also noted that his five children all attended Bath, as well.
Dackin will continue to serve as a teacher in a position fitting his certification and seniority.
