Warren City School District Athletic Director Rick Shepas has resigned from his position, effective June 30, 2026, for a new opportunity at East Palestine City Schools.
Mr. Shepas, who has worked in Warren nearly the past two years, will assist East Palestine in the school district’s efforts to expand its workforce development program.
Additionally, he will serve as Head High School Football Coach for the Palestine Bulldogs football program.
A formal resignation from AD Shepas has been expected for some time as he and Warren Superintendent/CEO Steve Chiaro have been discussing the most appropriate transition that would best support the student-athletes in the Warren City School District.
Mr. Shepas started in Warren as Athletic Director in July 2024 with the expectation that he would be a bold change agent for the athletic program, explained Superintendent Chiaro.
“Significant change is exactly what he brought to Warren in just under two years,” Chiaro said.
During his short tenure the district implemented:
- A strength conditioning program for all student athletes in December 2024;
- An indoor track program for student athletes in Trumbull County in 2025 that has since expanded to a multi-county program;
- A highly successful Girls Flag Football Team that has been showcased at the Cleveland the Huntington Bank Field in Cleveland, the Cleveland Brown’s home stadium;
- A youth wrestling program with outstanding participation this year; and
- A Boys pilot volleyball program.
Under AD Shepas’ leadership, student participation has improved and expectations for student- athletes at both the middle and high school levels of competition have been raised.
On Tuesday, March 3, 2026, the Warren City School District will begin a search for a new Athletic Director who has a bold vision, passion for outstanding student athletic programming, and a plan for implementing and maintaining the trajectory of the student athletic program success that is currently in place within Warren City District.