MOUNT VERNON – Two men with deep roots in Knox County will lead the Knox Educational Service Center (ESC) Governing Board in 2026.
Longtime Danville educator Ken Boeshart, an 11-year board member, was re-elected president at the board’s Jan. 14 meeting. Fredericktown’s Bruce Gregg was elected vice president.
The ESC has three primary functions:
— Support the county’s five public school districts and the Knox County Career Center by vetting and hiring classroom aides, substitute teachers and other personnel such as speech and occupational therapists.
— Operate preschools in Mount Vernon, Centerburg, Fredericktown and East Knox.
— Operate the Learning Center, a K-12 alternative school in the former Mount Vernon West Elementary building.
“Our role is to help all the schools in the county to meet the needs of students,” said Boeshart, who spent 30 years as a teacher, principal and superintendent in Danville Local Schools.
“We always need to do what’s best for students. My goal is to contribute to helping our districts get the tools they need.”
Gregg joined the board two years ago at the urging of Boeshart after the retirement of longtime board member Dick McLarnan. Gregg and Boeshart served together for years on the Knox County Fair Board.
“I was honored to be thought of as a member of this board. I am always looking for some way to contribute to my community and my county,” said Gregg, who operates Gregg Farms on Zolman Road.
“I agree with Ken: We’re all about what’s best for students and their careers one day. Knox County is a beautiful place to grow, learn and live.”
Gregg, a graduate of Fredericktown High School and The Ohio State University, is no stranger to public education. His wife Colleen is a fifth-grade teacher at Fredericktown and his sister and brother-in-law are retired teachers.
Gregg also serves as an ESC representative on the Knox County Career Center Board.
“The Career Center’s role of preparing kids for careers after high school is very important,” he said.
Boeshart and Gregg are joined on the five-member board by longtime member Vicki Bechtel, newly elected member Tommy Groshong and former member Donnie Rogers.
Rogers was appointed this month to succeed Laurie Gallwitz who resigned because of other professional responsibilities.
The board works closely with Dr. Timm Mackley, now in his 16 th year as ESC superintendent.
While noting the importance of each of the ESC’s functions, Boeshart emphasized the board’s support for the evolving role of the Learning Center.
Approximately 60 students there have had difficulty succeeding in their home schools in Knox and surrounding counties. Issues range from behavior to attendance to lack of academic initiative.
“There are lots of reasons students go to the alternative school and I’ve seen them all,” Boeshart said. “I was still teaching when Bruce Hawkins, former ESC superintendent, and Judge Ronk began the alternative school. Back then it was primarily about disciplinary issues.
“While it is still an alternative option, the Learning Center has progressed to a full-service school where kids can learn, even earn their diplomas.”
Gregg agreed.
“Not every student adapts well to their local schools. The Learning Center does a great job of helping kids excel,” he said. “It takes a special person to teach there, someone who can de-escalate situations to make learning possible.”
Nearly 30 students at the Learning Center met graduation requirements over the last three years and six more are on track to graduate this year. Diplomas are awarded by their home schools.
“I consider the Learning Center to be a hidden gem,” Gregg said.
Boeshart smiled broadly.
“That’s exactly what I was going to say.”