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Basketball coach hired in Boardman
By ELISE McKEOWN SKOLNICK
BOARDMAN
The board of education hired a new head coach for the boys high school basketball team.
At its Monday meeting, the board hired Patrick Birch, a Boardman High School social-studies teacher and current assistant coach for the team. He replaces Dan McKeown.
“He loves Boardman; he connects with kids; he’s a class act,” said Tim Saxton, Boardman High School principal. “He’s going to do a great job, and he’s going to be a big part of our success here at Boardman High School.”
Birch acknowledged the new role will be a challenge but said he’s prepared for it.
“I’m honored and humbled at the opportunity I have before me,” Birch said.
He outlined for the board what he plans to focus on as the basis of the basketball program, what he calls his four cornerstones — discipline, an emphasis on academics, the team’s image in the community, and program building in general.
“I feel like if I focus on those, we’ll have success in the years to come,” he said. “The challenge and opportunity are very exciting for me.”
Also at the meeting, Saxton updated the board on the high school’s new bring-your-own-device policy.
The policy, implemented this school year, allows students to bring their own Internet-connected devices to school.
“It’s changed the culture, it’s changed the atmosphere of the school, for the good,” Saxton said. “The kids are more relaxed. It doesn’t feel like you’re fighting the kids.”
In the past, he noted, it seemed as if students were hiding something. Now, however, they understand there is an appropriate time to pull out their devices.
They are continuing to search for new ways to use the technology for instructional purposes.
“I think it’s had a tremendous impact on the school, for the good,” Saxton said. “We’re all going to grow together on it, but it’s a lot more relaxed atmosphere.”