Principal leaving for superintendent spot

ROME TOWNSHIP — Fairland High School principal Chad Belville is resigning to take a position as superintendent for Fairfield Union Local Schools in Lancaster.

Belville, a Lawrence County native who received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Marshall University, has served as Fairland’s principal for six years.

He has worked in the Fairland school district for 12 years, also as a teacher and coach. Prior to Fairland, he was employed at Chesapeake and Minford high schools.

Belville said he is most proud of the relationships he’s been able to build with students and staff.

“Through those relationships, we’ve been able to push kids and we’ve been successful both academically and athletically,” he said.

He will be replacing Fairfield Superintendent Jan Broughton, who has announced her retirement.

“Mrs. Jan Broughton has been an exceptional superintendent for the Fairfield Union Local school district and the board thanks her for her service” Fairfield Board President Eric Mahler said in a news release. “Jan will leave our district on strong footing and we have great confidence that Mr. Belville will continue to lead our district on a path of excellence.”

Mahler said Belville was their top candidate for the position and said “he has the leadership skills, experience and moral character to be an excellent leader for our district.”

Belville, who will begin work in his new position in August, stated in his application package that he is “eager to find a school district and community to call home. I have a passion for education, and I am committed to making our school district a beacon for our community. I am a dedicated and hard-working individual who will be committed to excellence in every way.”

Belville said the move is an exciting opportunity for him, and that the Fairfield district has been extremely generous to his family throughout the application process.

“It’s hard to walk away from home,” he said. “But I’m excited for the opportunity.”

Belville said he will remain in his current position until June.

“I’ll be at Fairland through graduation,” he said. “Then I’ll begin concentrating full time on Fairfield.”