GETTING STARTED — Joined by his wife, Lisa, Dan Enich took the oath of office, Tuesday, to officially become the new superintendent of Hancock County Schools. -- Craig Howell

NEW CUMBERLAND — The Hancock County Board of Education, Tuesday, welcomed its new superintendent of schools and agreed to wait a while longer before making any decision on potential improvements to the baseball and softball fields at Oak Glen High School.

Dan Enich, who was selected by the board on March 21 to be superintendent, officially took the helm Tuesday, taking the oath of office. He was joined by his wife, Lisa, during the brief ceremony held at the beginning of the board’s regular meeting.

“We’re very excited,” board President Chris Gillette said. “I believe he brings passion and vision.”

Gillette also pointed to anticipated improvements in transparency by the school district under Enich’s supervision.

Enich expressed appreciation to those who have served as superintendent in the years before him, who he said set the foundation for the school system’s future.

“They’ve made this into a great county to work for and lead,” he said.

He discussed many of his views of the system, as well as his plans for the next four years, including a greater emphasis on STEM – science, technology, engineering and math – and STEAM – which also features a focus on art, pointing to other districts in the Tri-State Region.

He also wants to help to create a positive atmosphere within the system, improve safety systems, the infrastructure of the district, and work more closely with the community including building new relationships with local businesses.

“We need to make it happen here in Hancock County Schools,” he said. “All of us are smarter than one of us.”

Enich’s contract as superintendent will go through to June 30, 2027.

Also Tuesday, Enich recommended, once again, tabling a discussion and possible action on the proposed Oak Glen turf and lighting projects, aimed at improvements to the high school’s baseball and softball fields.

Enich said, between the Independence Day holiday and his starting his new position July 1, he wants to take time to get caught up on the details of the project, in particular after some board members expressed concern over potential plans to finance the project.

“I really see the board is interested in the financial aspects,” he said.

He said he spent more than two years meeting with Finance Director Joe Campinelli, and also met with members of the Oak Glen community in an effort to document every detail of the project, as well as receive input from the school, coaches and residents.

“I’m confident in what I’m hearing. I’m confident in what I’m seeing,” Enich said.

The school board has scheduled to meet in a work session at 5:30 p.m., July 17, with the next regular meeting at 5:30 p.m., July 24. Both meetings will be held at the John D. Rockefeller IV Career Center.