Josh Biederstedt

Welcome from the Superintendent
2025–2026 School Year

As we begin the 2025–2026 school year, I want to extend my sincere thanks to the Patrick Henry community for your continued support and partnership. Each year brings its own unique challenges and celebrations, and through it all, our district has remained strong—grounded in values, community, and a shared belief in doing what’s best for our students.

This is my eighth year as Superintendent of Patrick Henry Local Schools. Before that, I spent six years as high school principal and five years teaching in the district. Through each of those roles, I’ve seen our community step up again and again—often in quiet, unnoticed ways—to support one another. That commitment to going above and beyond is not just appreciated; it’s at the very heart of who we are.

Our district's culture is built on what we call the Three Pillars: Perseverance, Above and Beyond, and Family. These are more than just words on a wall—they are a way of life at Patrick Henry.

• Perseverance means being the best version of ourselves in difficult times.

• Above and Beyond is doing what’s right, even when no one is watching.

• Family calls us to put others first, acting with care, kindness, and compassion.

These Pillars were created by our students in the 2018–2019 school year, during a time of deep loss and reflection. Two students, brothers with the last name Wensink, tragically passed away that year. In honoring their lives, our students named this set of values the WensinkWay. Since then, both the WensinkWay and #PHStrong have become a part of who we are and what we strive to represent—every student, every staff member, every day.

Looking ahead, I hope the 2025–2026 school year brings growth, joy, and opportunities for each of us to live out these Pillars. Our shared commitment to this culture gives us a foundation for making decisions, learning from our experiences, and continuously striving to be better—for ourselves and for others.

Thank you for standing alongside us as we guide and support the next generation of Patriots. I look forward to a strong, purposeful year ahead.

Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions or concerns. I can be reached at jbiederstedt@phpatriots.org or by calling 419-274-3015 and following the prompts.