Six Administrative Appointments in Nebo School District

Submitted by lana.hiskey on

Six Administrative Appointments in Nebo School District

Dr. Everett Kelepolo – Principal Springville High School
Dr. Everett Kelepolo was appointed by the Nebo Board of Education as Principal of Springville High School for Nebo School District. 

Everett earned his bachelor’s degree in Physical Education from Southern Utah University and his master’s degree in Education in Leadership Administration from Brigham Young University. He also earned his Doctorate in Education from University of Nevada Las Vegas in 2011.

Dr. Kelepolo started his educational career at Lehi High School 1991 teaching business and physical education as well as coaching football, wrestling, and track for two years.  In 1993, he was hired at Spanish Fork High and taught physical education and coached football, wrestling, and track.  During the year 2000, Everett was selected to represent Nebo School District in the Leadership Preparation Program for principals. He has spent the rest of his career in administration at Springville Junior as Assistant Principal and then Principal. Dr. Kelepolo served as district Coordinator of Athletics and Community School and most recently as Coordinator of Student Services for the past four years.  

Dr. Kelepolo’s past honors include Principal of the Year for the State of Utah by the Utah Association of Secondary School Principals. Sportsmanship of the Year Award by the Wasatch font Football Official’s Association, Most Respected Teacher Award by Spanish Fork High’s student body, and the Total Citizen of the Year Award by the Spanish Fork Chamber of Commerce. 

Everett is married to Nikki; they have four children.

Mr. Mike Brown – Coordinator of Student Services
Mr. Mike Brown was appointed by the Nebo Board of Education as Coordinator of Student Services for Nebo School District. 

Mr. Brown received his bachelor’s degree in Social Studies from Northern Arizona University. He earned his Master’s of Educational Leadership degree from the University of Phoenix.

Currently, Mr. Brown is the Principal of Springville High for the past four years. He served as Assistant Principal of Springville High for two years. Mr. Brown was the Principal of Rio Rico in Arizona. 

Mike has received numerous awards including the prestigious President’s Award for Excellence from the University of Arizona. He served as a high school athletic director, History department chair, and received Teacher of the Year award in Pinal County, Arizona. All three high schools in Arizona where Mr. Brown was an administrator received US News and World Report distinction as the top high schools in the nation. Springville High also received the distinction as a top 25 school in Utah and Newsweek’s Top Schools in the USA.

When asked about his personal motto, Mike wrote, “Is it best for kids!”

Mr. Brown’s interests include hiking, traveling, and family. He said, “I’m really excited to be part of the Nebo District team!”

Mr. Ken Van Ausdal – Coordinator of Human Resources
With the vacancy left by Allen Gurney this year, the Nebo School Board of Education appointed Mr. Ken Van Ausdal as the Human Resource Coordinator for Nebo School District. Mr. Van Ausdal earned his bachelor’s degree in Education Psychology as well as a master’s degree in Education in Leadership Administration all from Brigham Young University.

Mr. Van Ausdal started his career in Nebo School District of Santaquin Elementary teaching special education for five years. He then participated in the Leadership Preparation Program; and in 1998, Ken accepted an administrative position in Jordan School District serving as a secondary administrator in two junior high schools and of Butler Elementary. Mr. Van Ausdal served as the Principal of Salem Elementary in Nebo School District for four years and Principal of Springville Junior for five years.

Ken served a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in the New Zealand Mission and served in the US Marines for six years as a hydraulics mechanic on an EA-6B Prowler Aircraft. He has enjoyed coaching Little League baseball and girls’ basketball. Ken has also been involved with Salem City Mayor’s advisory board and planning committee. Ken is a man of many talents.  Ken’s colleagues have said, “Ken has vision and a desire to help his school improve.  He is very thoughtful and is a good analyzer. He seeks continual improvement. Ken is friendly and has a great personality.”

Mr. Van Ausdal is also well thought of by his faculty and staff. A teacher shared the following, “I love to come to work because I know I have a Principal who will communicate with me, tell me when I’m doing things well, and tell me where I can make growth. I get positive feedback that makes me a better teacher. He doesn’t micro manage but trusts his faculty and staff.  He is innovative and constantly looking for ways to improve the school community.  He models effective teaching and professional development. All-in-all, Ken is one of the best Principals I have had the privilege to work with.”

Ken was born in Provo, Utah and was reared in Rock Springs, Wyoming.  He married Peggy Bird of Springville. Ken and Peggy have four children.

Mr. Ryan McGuire – Principal Springville Junior High School
Mr. Ryan McGuire was appointed as the Principal of Springville Junior High School for Nebo School District.

Mr. McGuire received his bachelor’s degree in history from Brigham Young University in 2000 and a master’s degree in Education Administration from Southern Utah University in 2007.

Mr. McGuire has served as Assistant Principal of Payson High for the last four years and as Assistant Principal of Payson Junior High for two years. He taught history and Spanish at Spanish Fork High for three years, and history at Spanish Fork Middle for five years. He has also coached basketball throughout his teaching career including head coach for girls’ varsity basketball at Spanish Fork High.  Mr. McGuire has earned several awards including Assistant Principal of the Year Finalist in 2012 and 2014 by the Utah Association of Secondary School Principals, Region IV Coach of the Year in 2006 (girls’ basketball SFHS), Nebo Notable for Nebo School District in 2006, and Teacher of the Month for Spanish Fork Middle in 2000. 

A colleague said, “Ryan is an outstanding individual. I am impressed with his ability to develop positive relationships with students, parents, and faculty. All tasks given him are completed with efficiently and done effectively. Ryan is well organized and accomplishes high quality goals. He was teachable in all aspects of administration. Ryan McGuire exhibits the skills and talents of an outstanding school leader. His love of students, and his sincere desire to make a difference in their lives makes him an excellent administrator.”

When asked about his personal motto, Ryan said, “It doesn’t matter how much you know until the students know how much you care.”

Ryan enjoys spending time outdoors and fishing of any kind. He is married to Trudy, and they have four children.

Mr. Lynn Mecham – Principal of Landmark High School
With Principal Joe Kelly retiring this year, there is an opening at Landmark High School. The Nebo School Board of Education appointed Mr. Lynn Mecham as new the Principal of Landmark High.

Lynn Mecham received his bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from Brigham Young University, and his master’s in Educational Counseling from University of Phoenix. He is currently working on his doctorate degree from Walden University.

Mr. Mecham started teaching second grade at Taylor Elementary and then taught sixth grade at Springville Middle.  He spent 10 years as a counselor at Payson Junior High. Mr. Mecham has served as Assistant Principal of Springville Middle and Mapleton Junior High for three years. He served as the Transportation Supervisor for Nebo School District, and is currently serving as Assistant Principal of Springville High since 2011.

When asked about his thoughts, Lynn said, “I love working with students and helping them achieve their goals.”

Lynn loves hunting, fishing, and all sports. He is married to Karen, and they have seven children and two grandchildren.

Mr. Shawn Rawlings – Principal Wilson Elementary School
Mr. Shawn Rawlings was appointed by the Nebo Board of Education as Principal of Wilson Elementary for Nebo School District. 

Mr. Rawlings earned his bachelor’s degree in Physical Education from Utah Valley University and a master’s degree in Education Administration through the Leadership Preparation Program (LPP) from Brigham Young University. Mr. Rawlings taught second, fourth, fifth grades at Park Elementary, Park View Elementary, and Westside Elementary schools. He has served in an administrative internship at Sierra Bonita Elementary, Lakeridge Junior High, and Payson High School. Currently he is teaching sixth grade at Park Elementary.

Mr. Rawlings colleagues said, “Shawn has an infectious smile and positive demeanor. He has difficult students and has held parent meetings to deal with issues. Shawn has a unique way of dealing with issues in a very respectful manner while sending the message that he truly cares about the student.”

When asked about his personal motto, Shawn said, “I have always enjoyed encouraging my students and helping them learn and excel in their own individual way. During my administrative internship, I was blessed to work alongside many amazing principals and staff members who clearly demonstrated the ability to reach even the most challenging students. I witnessed their sincere love and concern for the students firsthand; which in turn, reconfirmed my desire to becoming an effective and respectful school leader. I am thankful for the great rapport and lasting relationships that were developed and continue from this experience.”

Shawn is married to Kari. They have two children and reside in Spanish Fork.

Attributions
Lana Hiskey