John Bunch, current Owensville Middle School physical education teacher, was approved Feb. 18 as Owensville High School (OHS) new assistant principal with a 5-0 vote from the school board.

“They announced it here at the middle school and at the high school this morning,” Bunch said. “It is pretty much common knowledge”

Bunch has previous experience as an administrator from his time as middle school principal at Steelville’s R-3 School District from 2013-16 and as high school principal at Crawford County R-1 in Bourbon from 2012- 13. He also served as a school administrator in Crawford County School District from 2011-12.

“I am most excited about getting over there and helping more than just the kids coming in and out of my classroom and using my knowledge I have from the past,” Bunch said. “The last two-and-a-half-years I have been here, the district has been very kind to me and I am ready to give back.”

As a teacher, he has taught PE in the Gasconade R-2 School district since 2017, and English language arts from 2016-17 and previously taught social studies. As a coach, Bunch has been at both the middle and high school levels for basketball, track, baseball and softball. When asked if his coaching experience gives him an edge as an administrator, Bunch said maybe.

“To a certain degree, when I started coaching in 2006 it was one of those things where I enjoyed the sport first,” Bunch said. “But then I may have a little bit of an advantage dealing with kids, parents and deadlines. Too, a lot of it has to do with the motivation factor — and getting people to do what you want them to do.”

Bunch was born and raised in Steelville. He said he moved to Owensville for a fresh start. 

“I’ve been here two years this July,” Bunch said. “Once I took the position over here, after a year of driving back and forth, I thought it’s time to get out of my comfort zone.”

Bunch has three children that attend school in Steelville, and his girlfriend has three children in the Owensville district. While he is pretty sure he won’t be able to coach anymore, he is looking forward to being OHS principal.

“I am looking forward to this, and hoping it is long-term for me here,” Bunch said.

Bunch will be in and out of the high school to visit with Kris Altemeyer, current assistant principal who will take on the principal’s position after Cindy Hawkins leaves in June. He said Altemeyer and himself will determine what they need to do and where they need to go from there.

R-2 Superintendent Dr. Chuck Garner said the board is looking forward to Bunch joining the administrative team and what he will bring to the school district.

“We are excited that John is joining the team at OHS,” Garner said. “He brings administrative experiences from two other school districts. I know he is excited to continue the Dutchmen tradition.”