Tom Johns, Riverside Intermediate School’s new principal. Photo courtesy of Manchester Community Schools.

by Sara Swanson

When Manchester Jr/Sr High School’s principal left the district last March, Josh Lindeman, Riverside Intermediate School’s principal, stepped in to serve as interim high school principal, then was selected as the new permanent principal. The district announced in early August that Tom Johns had been hired as Lindeman’s replacement at Riverside. Johns will also serve as the district’s athletic director.

The district notes that Johns is a graduate of Defiance College and has dedicated himself to education as a secondary math teacher at Reading High School, Jackson Public Schools, and Leslie High School, while also spending 16 years coaching football. He then moved into administration in Napoleon in 2019, where he served in several roles, including high school assistant principal, middle school principal, alternative high school principal, and athletic director. Outside of school, Johns enjoys spending time with his three intermediate school–aged children!

Johns states, “I am excited about the opportunity to work in Manchester. I am going to focus on being a positive influence on our school district and building relationships. I will show up with excitement and energy every day, and I take a tremendous amount of pride in doing what’s best for students. I want to foster a school culture where everyone is safe, and students are being pushed to reach their full potential. As the school year begins, I look forward to meeting all of our students and staff and welcoming them to the ’25–’26 school year.”

Welcome to Manchester, Principal Tom Johns!