Sandhills -- Deane Bozeman School has experienced its share of ups and downs this year, but the newly appointed principal is ready to move beyond the past.

He’s only been on the job for a few weeks, but as the new principal of Deane Bozeman school, Josh Balkom ready take the school in a positive direction.

“I’m excited about the fact that they’ve been receptive of me and they felt like they can approach me and my door is always open” said Josh Balkom, Deane Bozeman Principal.

Balkom is now the head of the Pre-K through 12th grade school which houses over 1,250 students all under his watch, but as former assistant principal of Bay High School, Balkom say he is up for the task.

“It’s a challenge, it’s like having 3 schools at once, but at the same time, it’s a lot of advantages” said Balkom.

Balkom is entering the doors of Bozeman with a bold plan to make the school better.
“There’s so many good things that are in place right now, but there are some things that we need to expand” said Balkom.

Some of those items include revamping the school’s curriculum, particularly offering more rigorous courses for high school students, but Balkom does not come naively a school that’s had its share of difficulties. 2011 has been an eventful year for Deane Bozeman. Former girl’s teacher soccer coach, Daryl Shumate was arrested in February for marijuana possession and former Bozeman principal, Bill Payne resigned after he was found to have an inappropriate relationship with another school administrator.

“Obviously things have happened in the past, and things like that happen and it’s unfortunate and it’s not fair to them, but we’re not looking into the past, we’re looking to the future” said Balkom.

A future Balkom and others at Deane Bozeman hope is bright that grants success to its 1,250 students Pre-K through 12th grade.

Balkom also stressed his most important goal as principal, is student achievement.