Assuming a new role

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MINGO JUNCTION - The beginning of a new school year often marks the start of transitions, as pupils advance from one grade level to the next. But this fall, pupils within the Indian Creek Local School District won't be the only ones making a transition.

John Belt, the former assistant principal at Indian Creek High School, will begin the school year as principal at Indian Creek Junior High School.

News of the move came in mid-June after Superintendent Jene Watkins informed Belt of a vacancy in the district's central office.

"I found out there was a vacancy due to Mr. (Ronald) Sismondo resigning as assistant superintendent," Belt said. "The next day Mr. Watkins called and told me Dr. (Mark) Furda will move up to take Mr. Sismondo's position, and I would move up to take Dr. Furda's position."

Sismondo was hired as principal at Stanton Elementary School in the Edison Local School District.

The board of education approved the move on June 25, and Belt assumed his new role on Wednesday. He noted he's taking the position with "mixed feelings."

"This is my third administrative position in three years," Belt said. "It's been a steep learning curve. But it's nice to know that the school board and the superintendent trust me to assume this role."

Belt, a self-declared "Army brat" who is no stranger to moving around the country, began his undergraduate education at the University of North Carolina. He received his bachelor's degree in marine biology in 1992, and at the time he dreamed of serving in the Coast Guard.

"Graduation was pushed back because of Desert Storm," the former Army reservist said. "A job in the Coast Guard fell through because of that."

Instead, Belt took a job in a North Carolina school through a lateral entry program, teaching math and science.

"The program allowed me to teach, and it gave me three years to complete my (teaching) license," Belt said. "Compared to other salary packages for my degree, it was an attractive wage opportunity."

In his first year of teaching, Belt took on two coaching positions, one as a junior varsity boys basketball head coach and another as a varsity baseball assistant coach. He also met his wife, Jennifer, a special education teacher for grades nine through 12, during his first year.

After a second year of teaching, Belt decided education was the career path on which he should continue.

"I just enjoyed working with the kids. It was a rewarding experience," Belt said.

He added a career in teaching would be most conducive to raising a family.

"Family is something we value," Belt said. "Teaching is the best profession to be in and raise a family. Your kids' vacations coincide with yours. It's important to spend time with your kids."

Belt received his teaching credentials through the Methodist University in North Carolina after two years of teaching, and in 1999, he and his family relocated to the Ohio Valley.

"My wife is a Weir High graduate," Belt said. "Her family is from this area, and my family is spread throughout the country. For me, this was just one more move."

Belt continued to excel in his chosen field and completed his master's degree in administration at the Franciscan University of Steubenville in 2006. His current license allows him to assume a position up to the level of assistant superintendent, but he doesn't plan to stop there.

"I would like to go back to school to get my doctorate," Belt said. "Dr. Furda went through the West Virginia University program, and he speaks highly of that. I probably see myself in the next two to three years heading in that direction. I'd like to get my superintendent's license before my doctorate through Franciscan. It's where I'd like to end up eventually, as an assistant superintendent or superintendent."

For now, Belt noted he is excited to be a part of the transition that Indian Creek will make in the next few years, as the district begins and completes construction of a new middle school through a 3.45-mill bond levy passed in November.

"I've been given a fantastic opportunity to, not only further my career working with another age group, but it's a rare opportunity for administrators in this part of the state to be opening a new building. It will be an exciting time."

Belt noted the building will break ground in Mingo Junction late next spring and will be completed approximately two years from then.

"We have a lot of steps to go through, working the the state commission," Belt said. "It's a highly detailed process, from the technology we want to include in the building to the color scheme of the carpet. It all has to be approved. There's a lot of work ahead for me, the administration and the board. In the meantime, I'd just like to see the staff at Indian Creek Junior High School continue to do the excellent job they've done under Dr. Furda's leadership, serving the children and parents to the best of our ability. I hope we continue to be a focus of the Mingo Junction community."

(Lauttamus may be contacted at bsadler@heraldstaronline.com.)