Before he went on to lead school districts, universities, and statewide education, Dr. Juan Baughn was a member of the Media High School Class of 1962, a former Chester High School basketball coach, and a protege as dean of students there.

“The folks in Chester saw something in me that I didn’t see in myself,” Baughn said in a Daily Times report by Rick Kauffman. “They encouraged me, supported me and threatened me.

“And I think that I want to do the same that they did for me.”

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Baughn has been picked to transition from interim superintendent to permanent leadership with a five-year, $215,000-per-year deal, the article stated. And he has a bold vision focused on academics, activities, arts, and athletics to foster academic achievement.

“We believe if we do a good job with all those components, our youngsters will have choices when they graduate to do whatever they want,” he said.

To that end, Baughn has already bolstered the school band, expanded culinary arts, and debuted a cosmetology lab.

“I want our youngsters to have choices when they graduate,” he said. “If they choose to go to work, so be it; if they choose to go to university, fantastic; if they choose to go into the armed forces, we’ve prepared them for the test. It’s a matter of providing choices and opportunities.”

Read more about Chester’s new superintendent in the Daily Times here.