FRANKLIN, Pa. (EYT) – A Lucinda native will soon be the new principal at Rocky Grove High School.

On Monday, the Valley Grove School Board voted to appoint Ed Baumcratz as the new principal.

“It’s a good feeling, but it’s also bittersweet at the same time,” Baumcratz said. “I’m very sad to be leaving North Clarion, but I’m also grateful to Valley Grove for the opportunity.”

“When I went through the interview process, I got a very good vibe about a very great school district, and I’m ready to be a part of it. It’s got a good small-town feel which I’m used to.”

Baumcratz, currently an art teacher at the North Clarion School District where he teaches in both the elementary and high schools, said the mentors he had at North Clarion encouraged him to pursue his dreams.

“I worked for and with some great people — Ryan Cornecki, Ritt Smith, Vanessa Weinline, Steve Young — and they encouraged me a great deal,” Baumcratz said.

Baumcratz was the assistant to the high school principal at North Clarion for two years, 2013 to 2015.

He has taught there since 2009.

Baumcratz was also the boys’ basketball coach from 2009 to 2014.

“We did pretty well, had a lot of good times, and I developed a lot of positive relationships. Being a coach helped me learn how to deal with many different people from varied backgrounds, and I feel that will help quite a bit in my new position.”

Baumcratz said he is looking forward to being involved in all the activities with the kids, and he wants to be a positive and motivating person in their lives.

Baumcratz lives in Shippenville with his wife, Chrissy, and two children, Noah and Sydney.

Baumcratz said he will submit his resignation within the next month.

The opening was created when the current principal, Matt LaVerde, accepted a job to be the assistant executive director at the Riverview Intermediate Unit 6 in Clarion.