Parkway Looks Ahead as District Confirms MAC Stay and Welcomes New Football Coach

Parkway Schools is moving ahead with a clear direction after community discussion helped solidify the district’s decision to remain in the Midwest Athletic Conference, while also ushering in a new era for its football program. Superintendent Laura Young said the district appreciated the strong public input during the recent process, noting that the school board wanted to hear directly from the community before making a decision on such an important issue.

Young said Parkway is now turning its attention to the future as the district wraps up her first year as superintendent and begins strategic planning. That work will include revisiting the school’s mission and vision, along with setting goals and action steps aimed at strengthening communication, transparency, and community involvement. She said that process is expected to begin at the April 8 board meeting.

The district is also entering hiring season, with Young noting one retirement in kindergarten has led to an opening for an elementary intervention specialist. She said Parkway continues working through staffing needs while also focusing on long term planning across the district.

Joining Parkway during this period of transition is new head football coach Keenan Leichty, who brings more than three decades of coaching experience at both the college and high school levels. Leichty said stops along his career included positions at the University of Dayton, Ohio Northern, Versailles, Tiffin Calvert, Coldwater, and in Georgia high school football. He said the Parkway opportunity stood out because of its connection to the MAC, the chance to return closer to home, and the district’s vision for building a successful and sustainable program.

Leichty said his focus will be on building a process driven culture with high standards, accountability, and long term consistency. He said that work has already begun through offseason lifting, system installation, and efforts to build trust with players, families, and the wider community. Leichty said Parkway’s goal is to steadily build toward competing at a high level in one of Ohio’s toughest small school conferences.

Young also highlighted continued community outreach as a priority, saying she wants to remain visible not only in Rockford but throughout the full Parkway district, including Mendon and Willshire. She said that as Parkway moves forward academically and athletically, district leaders want to keep building stronger connections with families and residents across all parts of the school community.