Great Things Are Happening at Sandy Valley Every Day

I love the title of this message, mainly because I stole it from our beloved Dr. Victor Johnson, who will be officially leaving us at the end of the year. Many of you crossed paths with Dr. Johnson, who was the elementary principal for 10 years, starting in 2012. Dr. Johnson took his retirement at the end of last year but has been working part-time for us via the Stark County Educational Service Center and helping in the transition of new leadership. We owe Dr. Johnson a debt of gratitude for his outstanding leadership, his infectious positive attitude, and his constant reminder that “great things are happening at Sandy Valley Elementary every day!”

Change can be difficult, and although we feel the loss of Dr. Johnson, we have been blessed to welcome the new elementary principal, Gregory McClellan. Mr. McClellan started his teaching career at Plain Local Schools and landed in Streetsboro in an elementary administrative role. He has been with us since the beginning of the school year, and we are ecstatic to have him as part of the Sandy Valley family. He, with the help of Dr. Johnson, has made the leadership transition a smooth one.

On the horizon is yet another change. Starting with the 2023-2024 school year, Mr. Matthew Whitted, High School Principal, known for his excellent rapport with students and his famous all calls (Ca Caw!!), will leave his current role but remain in the district as our Director of Special Programs and Staff Development. We know our students and staff will dearly miss Mr. Whitted as principal. We appreciate his hard work and dedication to Sandy Valley and feel grateful that he will continue his work here.

Although Mr. Whitted leaves some big shoes to fill, we could not be more excited to introduce to you Mrs. Alivia Stamp as next year’s high school principal. Mrs. Stamp comes to us from Canton City Schools where she served as an elementary principal. She has spent the 2022-2023 school year at Sandy Valley, getting to know the staff and students by tutoring at St. James, subbing as an administrator, and coaching JV girls’ basketball. Her enthusiasm and willingness to step in is infectious. She is already a member of the SV family, and we know she will be an excellent addition to our high school administrative staff.

I wish Dr. Johnson a restful and blessed retirement and look forward to putting Mr. Whitted to work in a new capacity, taking over positions formerly held by Stark County Educational Service Center personnel. Best of luck to Mr. McClellan and Mrs. Stamp in their new roles, and congratulations to all!

Now, as you peruse through the rest of this website, please enjoy the victories, achievements, and fun the staff and students have generated over the past months. After all, “great things are happening at Sandy Valley every day!”

Go Cards!

David Fischer

Superintendent