Veteran principal moves to Bedford Schools' upper management

Ken Graf, former principal at Monroe Road Elementary, now is assistant superintendent of human resources.

TEMPERANCE - It was with mixed emotions that veteran school administrator Ken Graf left Monroe Road Elementary to move up to upper management in Bedford Public Schools.

Mr. Graf, whose career in education spans three decades as a teacher and principal, was hired last month to replace Wes Berger, who retired as assistant superintendent of human resources.

"I will miss the kids. I will miss all the interaction with the students," he said. "But I am also looking forward to a new challenge."

Mr. Graf, 54, officially began his new job July 1.

He is overseeing day-to-day operations of the human resources department, including handling negotiations and labor contracts with the district's teachers and staff.

His salary - $97,700 - is the same amount paid to Mr. Berger, who held the position for eight years.

Nearly seven years ago, Mr. Graf was picked to become the first principal of the then-newly built Monroe Road Elmentary School.

Before the school was built, Mr. Graf led a committee to prepare for the building's opening and handled the coordination of supplies, staffing, and materials that were used at the school.

"My task was to have everything ready to open on Aug. 21, 2001," he said.

Superintendent Jon White said interviews have begun to find a principal for the school and that the new person should be on the job before school starts on Sept. 2.

Mr. Graf joined the school system in 1994 when he was hired as principal at Smith Road Elementary.

Prior to coming to Bedford Schools, he was assistant principal and athletic director for three years at Tecumseh Junior High School in Lenawee County. He also was an assistant principal at Lincoln Elementary in Hudson, Mich.

He began his teaching career in Morenci, Mich., and moved on to Clinton Community Schools.