The Perry School District didn’t have to look far to find its new activities director.

The School Board recently approved the hiring of Scott Pierce to fill the position being vacated by retiring AD Tom Lipovac. Pierce is currently the Perry High School physical education teacher, as well as the strength and conditioning coach for the athletic department. He was chosen from 30 initial candidates and four finalists for the job, and Superintendent Clark Wicks says Pierce stood out in part because of the familiarity. “More important than the actual interview is to be able to look at what a person has done for your school or community and for kids, and we had first-hand knowledge of that. So (we) feel very confident and very comfortable with seeing the very passionate work that Scott does. He’s inspirational, has helped so many kids with their not only physical growth but their emotional and mental growth. That kind of passion and that Perry pride will transfer to his position as activities director, and I think Perry schools and the Perry community will be in a very good place.”

Pierce will do some training with Lipovac the remainder of the school year, and will officially take over the position on July 1st. He’s expected to continue in some capacity with the strength and conditioning program, though Wicks says whoever the District hires as the new PE teacher will likely take up that mantle. Lipovac announced his retirement in January, bringing a close to a career in Perry that started in 1977, with the last 20 years as activities director.