By James Massara
CCN News Director

GALION ­— The search did not go far for the Galion Board of Education to find its new middle school principal.

Galion school board members approved Paul Wheeler to take on the role of middle school principal after the departure of Joe Morabito. Morabito left Galion for a position at Plymouth-Shiloh Local Schools.

Before the recent move, Wheeler spent the past three years as the director of academics and federal grants for the district. Wheeler’s other administrative experience includes time as the junior high and high school principal at Crestline Exempted Village Schools.

Galion City Schools Superintendent Jim Grubbs said the district was lucky to have a qualified person to fill the role this late in the summer. Grubbs equaled the late hiring to having a late-round draft pick.

“The earlier I can draft, the better chance I have of getting a good administrator. When I draft last, and you find out in June and you don’t get to hire someone until July, there aren’t very many people out there left,” Grubbs said. “This was an opportunity where we knew we had a good candidate inside.

“Why are we messing around? Let’s move forward with that person.”

Grubbs said one quality stood out to him that made Wheeler a premier candidate for the job.

“Paul has a love and his desire to be working with kids,” Grubbs said. “He was in a central office position, which is more sitting at your desk working on grants, working on curriculum, not very much interaction with kids.”

Wheeler said he previously only occasionally worked with students or a specific group of students,” Wheeler said. “This allows me to work basically with the whole building.”

Wheeler’s other education experience includes work as a guidance counselor and middle and high school social studies teacher.

Grubbs said Wheeler will not be replaced in his previous role and the district will save money by instead paying Wheeler a stipend to continue handling the district’s grant procedures, instead of paying a new administrator a full salary.

Wheeler’s first official day in the position is Aug. 1.

Also during the meeting, five student athletes were recognized for their accomplishments during the previous track and field season.

Marisa Gwinner was recognized for her second-place finish at the state track meet, Bri Streib was recognized for her fifth-place discus finish, Kerrigan Myers for her sixth-place finish in the 100-meter hurdles and Jalyn Oswald, Brooklyn Cosey, Myers and Gwinner were recognized for their seventh-place finish in the 4×100-meter relay.GALION ­— The search did not go far for the Galion Board of Education to find its new middle school principal.

The student athletes were presented with declarations recognizing their achievements.