Outgoing superintendent Ben Winans is shown presenting a commerative clock to a retiring staff member at Monday night's board of education meeting. At that meeting, Winans submitted his resignation which the board approved. Last week, he was named as high school director at Vantage Career Center in Van Wert. (Photo/Adam Papin)

HAVILAND – Wayne Trace will be looking for a new superintendent, after Ben Winans stepped down from the position to return to the high school director role at Vantage Career Center in Van Wert. Winans was hired to that position at Vantage’s May board meeting, on Thursday, May 5. He submitted his resignation to the Wayne Trace school board Monday night.

“Career and technical education today are something that are very important. Their programs are full and there’s a reason for that. They run quality programs. I’m excited to get back there and see kids succeed in that environment.”

The high school director provides leadership to many areas of Vantage including supervising the trade and industry programs. It also oversees student services, which takes care of academic concerns like guidance counseling and scheduling, and the business and services wing of the career center.

Winans will work directly with Vantage’s superintendent in the new role.

Winans is no stranger to Vantage. Prior to accepting Wayne Trace’s superintendent postion, he spent over a decade at Vantage in a number of different roles, including social studies teacher, overseeing student discipline and student services, and the high school director position he is returning to.

In his six years as superintendent, Winans oversaw negotiations with staff on three labor contracts and the start of a community driven master planning process for the district’s facilities.

When asked what he was most proud of accomplishing during his tenure, Winans remarked, “I think it’s just continuing to see Wayne Trace move forward in what we are doing. It’s not the superintendent who makes the difference in the district. It’s the people here with the passion for the kids.”

He added, “Hopefully, I’m leaving Wayne Trace in a better place or as good of a place as it was when I came.”

Winans will continue as superintendent through July 31, before starting at Vantage on August 1.

According to Winans, the board is evaluating all its options, and more information on that process will be made available in the near future. “The district definitely wants to get a jump start on finding someone.”