CAMDEN —An educator familiar with Preble County will return to take the helm at Preble Shawnee Local Schools next school year.

Dr. Matt M. Bishop, 42, Carlisle, was recently named the new superintendent of the Preble Shawnee Local School District. He replaces the retiring David Ulrich.

The Preble Shawnee Board of Education unanimously approved Dr. Bishop’s contract during a meeting on Thursday, March 17.

“I want to thank the board of education for putting their trust in me,” Bishop said during the meeting. “It’s a great honor and I’m very humbled to become the next superintendent of Preble Shawnee.”

Bishop will officially begin his position on Aug. 1.

“Over the next couple of months probably the two things that I’ll be doing the most is learning,” Bishop said. “Learning as much about the district, not only what we are doing currently or what we have planned in the future, but the past. Learning about the history of the three communities and how we come together to become Preble Shawnee — I think that’s really important.”

Bishop said he’d also be listening: “Listening to everybody in the community, staff, students, business leaders, government officials, the board of education — try to find out what are the things that we do well at Preble Shawnee and what are some things that we can improve, because we can always improve in every aspect of our lives.

“That’s what we are here for in education — teaching our students to be lifelong learners and constantly how to become better people. I’m really looking forward to the opportunity,” he said.

Dr. Bishop began his educational career in 1997 in Preble County at the Twin Valley Community Local School District in West Alexandria, as a middle school teacher. He later served as the district’s technology coordinator and five years as Twin Valley South Middle School principal.

In 2005, Bishop returned to his alma mater, becoming Carlisle High School’s principal. During his tenure there, the high school received seven Excellent ratings from the Ohio Department of Education, a national award from High Schools That Work as a Top 100 School, and more.

In 2013, Bishop was named superintendent of Lockland School District, located in Hamilton County. According to his bio, “at Lockland, he brought in effective services, led the district out of a Fiscal Caution designation by the Ohio Department of Education, facilitated the creation of a five year strategic plan, and strengthened the communication and trust between the school and community.”

Bishop is active in his home community and was elected to the Carlisle Local School District Board of Education in 1999, where he served one term from 2000-2003.

Bishop received his Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education from Miami University in Oxford in 1996. He received his Master of Education degree from the University of Dayton in 2000 and completed requirements for a superintendent license soon after. In 2009, he received his Doctor of Philosophy in Educational Leadership degree from the University of Dayton. His dissertation title was “A Study of Perceived General, Intrinsic and Extrinsic Job Satisfaction Among Public School Superintendents in Southwestern Ohio.”

Bishop’s wife, Heather, is a teacher at Grigsby Intermediate School in Carlisle. The Bishop’s have one daughter, Carlie, who is in the fifth grade this school year.

In an open letter to the residents of the school district, Bishop noted, “Over the next several months, I will be in the district frequently to meet with students, staff, administration, parents, and community members. I look forward to learning about the Preble Shawnee Local School District, our past, present, and our bright future. I also want to listen to all stakeholders to learn what we do well and where we can improve. I am excited for this opportunity and cannot wait to get started. I hope everyone has a great end to the current school year!”