Buckeye brings on new director of operations

YORK TWP. — John Justice will soon fill the role of director of operations at Buckeye Schools. The director of operations leads the district's maintenance department. The Buckeye school board approved Justice taking over the role during its regular meeting Tuesday. He has served as the athletic director of Berea City Schools since 2022. Before that, he served as the athletic director and an assistant principal at Brunswick City Schools. "I recognized pretty early on that the operations and the business side of the district is something that certainly interested me," Justice said. "I've worked for a lot of great leaders who did a lot for me to help me gain a number of different opportunities and experiences." Buckeye Superintendent Jeff Stanton said there was a committee of about a dozen people involved in the interview process, and Justice was the No. 1 candidate across the board. "It was very, very evident to me during the interview process that this was a place that I wanted to be," Justice said. "I appreciate the depth that they went into their interview process, and it allowed me to really learn a lot about this district." Jon List is the former director of operations at Buckeye. The board of education approved his resignation, which was effective Jan. 1, during its December meeting. "My heart is honestly at Buckeye," List said at the December meeting. "In my time here, I feel like we've done a lot of great things, met a lot of great people and formed a lot of great relationships." Justice will begin his new role March 3. He said he is "excited" and "honored" to be a part of the district. "I think there's one thing that I took away from the interviews and a number of people I've talked to since then, which is what a great place this is," he said. "I hear about the great people that are here." Contact reporter Madisyn Woodring at (330) 721-4049 or mwoodring@medina-gazette.com.