Hintz Retiring As Superintendent Of WCS Effective June 30
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
By David [email protected]
Hintz also declined his new contract approved by the board Jan. 6 and requested his existing contract remain in place. The board approved his request.
Effective dates for Hintz’s new contract were for Jan. 1, 2014, through June 30, 2015. The total monetary value of his base salary and benefits contract was $164,218.52.
On April 27, 2009, when the school board approved Hintz as the WCS superintendent, his annual salary was approved at $128,000 plus benefits. His contract was for three years.
In August 2010, Hintz voluntarily accepted for his salary and benefits to be frozen as the state cut school funding and more cuts were expected the next year. The school board voted to extend Hintz's contract a year to June 30, 2013.
The board is presently developing the criteria for selecting the next superintendent, according to information in a press release issued to the media.
WCS Board President Jennifer Tandy states in the press release, “We are confident that with the reputation of Warsaw Community Schools and the support of administrators, teachers, staff, parents and community patrons, we will select a superintendent for WCS that has the ability to build upon the successess of the past while forging ahead to create outstanding learning opportunities for the students and families of WCS.”
Hintz read his retirement letter at Thursday’s meeting, which states, in part, “It has been a source of great joy to serve the students, staff, families and patrons of the community. I will always count this chapter in my 45 years of service in public school education as one of the hallmarks of my career.
“... I pledge to provide the same level of leadership until June 30, 2014, that I have provided since my first day, including assisting in the transition of leadership, as you sort out the process for selecting the next superintendent. I have great confidence that the Board and leadership will continue with fidelity and commitment to ensure that all students are inspired and equipped to continously acquire and apply knowledge and skills, while pursuing their dreams and enriching the lives of others!”
After reading the letter, Hintz said, “I love it here. I believe that this system is a system on the move as evidenced by the fine team work of just so many in our community. We enjoy a fine reputation in our school corporation.”
He said in his 45 years he hasn’t worked with a finer executive team and cabinet than the one at Warsaw now. “We’re a high-performing team and I’ve appreciated their support and their loyalty. It has meant so much and these are tough decisions to make,” he said.
Hintz’s wife, Susan, retired as a superintendent four years ago. “And as I’ve shared with many, she has kind of sent me a mixed message: ‘Honey, I don’t want to put any pressure on you retiring,’ and then she’ll also say, ‘I can’t wait to start the next chapter of our lives,’” Hintz explained.
They have five married children, 14 grandchildren and other family members. Hintz said, “My parents, both deceased now, when they decided to retire, they came and shared, ‘it’s time, it’s time to start the next chapter of our lives.’ So that’s how I feel.”
Hintz remarked he truly appreciates the support of the current school board and the board that hired him in 2009. The only remaining member of that board still serving is Delores Hearn.
“We have been on a wonderful, wonderful path, and I’m proud of the board’s commitment to the strategic plan, our strategic objectives and strategies, our mission statement that is second to none that is embraced by so many of our constituents,” Hintz remarked. “I want to express really the deepest gratitude that I can to the board. They have been very kind and very supportive and I appreciate it so very much.”
He said he’s also looking forward to working on his golf game and spending time with Susan and other family members.
“But I know how much time I’ve invested in my career as a school administrator since 1978. Hundreds of hours, and it’s been a lot of hours with a lot of kids and a lot of staff members, parents and now I get to spend a lot of hours with my family. And I’m really looking forward to it,” he said.
Hintz shared with the board that he would “do everything possible to help with the smoothest, smoothest transition possible because this is an incredible job, the superintendent’s position in Warsaw, Indiana, and I really will work as hard on June 30 as I did on July 1, 2009. I pledge that to the schools.”
He concluded by asking the board to approve his retirement.
Tandy commented, “I would just like to say that Dr. Hintz has led us through a remarkable transformation that has resulted in improvements that will benefit students and the entire community for years to come.”
Additionally, in the provided press release, Tandy is quoted as saying, “Dr. Hintz’s commitment to excellence and his visionary leadership have created an environment for learning that places WCS among the finest public education systems in the State of Indiana. Dr. Hintz has been instrumental in establishing a culture of collaboration, not only within the school system, but also throughout our community and in our ongoing collaborative efforts with OrthoWorx. He will certainly be missed and we appreciate his willingness to serve WCS during this transition period.”
Hearn commented that the last five years seemed to have gone by so quickly.
“You certainly brought our corporation to the top in many ways. It’s hard to put it in words. All the emotions that I feel, I’ll miss you,” Hearn said.
Board Vice President Matt Dick said all the board members were “shocked and surprised” when Hintz told them of his plan to retire. “I’m obviously extremely thankful for all that you’ve done,” Dick said, noting that Hintz was going out at the top of his game.
The other four board members also thanked Hintz for his service to the school corporation.
According to the release, since joining WCS in 2009, Hintz has “accomplished many notable achievements through his leadership.” Some of those include advocating the adoption of a community-developed strategic plan, creating a STEM academy, free full-day kindergarten, enhanced world language offerings, implementing Professional Learning Communities, and helping WCS attain an “A” grade for two consecutive years from the Indiana Department of Education. He also was named the 2013 Indiana Superintendent of the Year.
The board concluded Thursday’s meeting by approving the motion to reinstate Hintz’s previous superintendent contract and voiding the contract the board approved for him at the Jan. 6 meeting.
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Hintz also declined his new contract approved by the board Jan. 6 and requested his existing contract remain in place. The board approved his request.
Effective dates for Hintz’s new contract were for Jan. 1, 2014, through June 30, 2015. The total monetary value of his base salary and benefits contract was $164,218.52.
On April 27, 2009, when the school board approved Hintz as the WCS superintendent, his annual salary was approved at $128,000 plus benefits. His contract was for three years.
In August 2010, Hintz voluntarily accepted for his salary and benefits to be frozen as the state cut school funding and more cuts were expected the next year. The school board voted to extend Hintz's contract a year to June 30, 2013.
The board is presently developing the criteria for selecting the next superintendent, according to information in a press release issued to the media.
WCS Board President Jennifer Tandy states in the press release, “We are confident that with the reputation of Warsaw Community Schools and the support of administrators, teachers, staff, parents and community patrons, we will select a superintendent for WCS that has the ability to build upon the successess of the past while forging ahead to create outstanding learning opportunities for the students and families of WCS.”
Hintz read his retirement letter at Thursday’s meeting, which states, in part, “It has been a source of great joy to serve the students, staff, families and patrons of the community. I will always count this chapter in my 45 years of service in public school education as one of the hallmarks of my career.
“... I pledge to provide the same level of leadership until June 30, 2014, that I have provided since my first day, including assisting in the transition of leadership, as you sort out the process for selecting the next superintendent. I have great confidence that the Board and leadership will continue with fidelity and commitment to ensure that all students are inspired and equipped to continously acquire and apply knowledge and skills, while pursuing their dreams and enriching the lives of others!”
After reading the letter, Hintz said, “I love it here. I believe that this system is a system on the move as evidenced by the fine team work of just so many in our community. We enjoy a fine reputation in our school corporation.”
He said in his 45 years he hasn’t worked with a finer executive team and cabinet than the one at Warsaw now. “We’re a high-performing team and I’ve appreciated their support and their loyalty. It has meant so much and these are tough decisions to make,” he said.
Hintz’s wife, Susan, retired as a superintendent four years ago. “And as I’ve shared with many, she has kind of sent me a mixed message: ‘Honey, I don’t want to put any pressure on you retiring,’ and then she’ll also say, ‘I can’t wait to start the next chapter of our lives,’” Hintz explained.
They have five married children, 14 grandchildren and other family members. Hintz said, “My parents, both deceased now, when they decided to retire, they came and shared, ‘it’s time, it’s time to start the next chapter of our lives.’ So that’s how I feel.”
Hintz remarked he truly appreciates the support of the current school board and the board that hired him in 2009. The only remaining member of that board still serving is Delores Hearn.
“We have been on a wonderful, wonderful path, and I’m proud of the board’s commitment to the strategic plan, our strategic objectives and strategies, our mission statement that is second to none that is embraced by so many of our constituents,” Hintz remarked. “I want to express really the deepest gratitude that I can to the board. They have been very kind and very supportive and I appreciate it so very much.”
He said he’s also looking forward to working on his golf game and spending time with Susan and other family members.
“But I know how much time I’ve invested in my career as a school administrator since 1978. Hundreds of hours, and it’s been a lot of hours with a lot of kids and a lot of staff members, parents and now I get to spend a lot of hours with my family. And I’m really looking forward to it,” he said.
Hintz shared with the board that he would “do everything possible to help with the smoothest, smoothest transition possible because this is an incredible job, the superintendent’s position in Warsaw, Indiana, and I really will work as hard on June 30 as I did on July 1, 2009. I pledge that to the schools.”
He concluded by asking the board to approve his retirement.
Tandy commented, “I would just like to say that Dr. Hintz has led us through a remarkable transformation that has resulted in improvements that will benefit students and the entire community for years to come.”
Additionally, in the provided press release, Tandy is quoted as saying, “Dr. Hintz’s commitment to excellence and his visionary leadership have created an environment for learning that places WCS among the finest public education systems in the State of Indiana. Dr. Hintz has been instrumental in establishing a culture of collaboration, not only within the school system, but also throughout our community and in our ongoing collaborative efforts with OrthoWorx. He will certainly be missed and we appreciate his willingness to serve WCS during this transition period.”
Hearn commented that the last five years seemed to have gone by so quickly.
“You certainly brought our corporation to the top in many ways. It’s hard to put it in words. All the emotions that I feel, I’ll miss you,” Hearn said.
Board Vice President Matt Dick said all the board members were “shocked and surprised” when Hintz told them of his plan to retire. “I’m obviously extremely thankful for all that you’ve done,” Dick said, noting that Hintz was going out at the top of his game.
The other four board members also thanked Hintz for his service to the school corporation.
According to the release, since joining WCS in 2009, Hintz has “accomplished many notable achievements through his leadership.” Some of those include advocating the adoption of a community-developed strategic plan, creating a STEM academy, free full-day kindergarten, enhanced world language offerings, implementing Professional Learning Communities, and helping WCS attain an “A” grade for two consecutive years from the Indiana Department of Education. He also was named the 2013 Indiana Superintendent of the Year.
The board concluded Thursday’s meeting by approving the motion to reinstate Hintz’s previous superintendent contract and voiding the contract the board approved for him at the Jan. 6 meeting.
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