The desire to relocate back to the Eastern Shore brought Ira K. Thomas to Kent County. Last week, the board of education without discussion unanimously approved the hiring of the former Stephen Decatur football and basketball player as principal of Kent County High School. The 51-year-old Thomas, whose résumé includes a master’s degree in social work and a doctorate in education administration, said he rejected two other offers, both on the western shore, to take the job in Kent. Born in Frederick, Thomas moved at the age of 9 to the Eastern Shore. He graduated from Stephen Decatur High School in Worcester County, and his mother still lives in Berlin. It was just by luck that he learned about the vacancy at Kent County High School, which was created by the sudden resignation of Philip Keim in May. Thomas said his wife Daria knew of his desire to come back to the Shore and was searching the Internet for job openings when she came upon the Kent posting. He was one of three finalists to be given a second interview late last month.