Triton Superintendent Steps Down, High School Principal Steps Up
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
BOURBON - Triton School Corp. Superintendent Rex Roth is in his 13th year with the school corporation. This is his last year. Roth will retire next summer.
"I think it's time to move aside and let someone with more energy than me (take over)," Roth said.
And that someone is Triton Junior-Senior High School Principal Ted Chittum.
"I think we're very fortunate to have someone with Ted's experience, interest in the job and energy level available," Roth said.
Now in his second year as high school principal, Chittum will assume his new position in July when Roth leaves. Roth submitted his resignation two weeks ago, but school board members have known for more than a year that Roth was considering retirement. So board members had time to consider a replacement.
"When Ted was hired, we wanted someone with good qualifications and to keep the continuity," school board president Dave Shively said Monday. "We've had numerous executive sessions on this issue."
Roth said Chittum was assistant principal for Triton High School in the 1980s, so he already knows the community and school well. He also said Chittum has lived next to the school for several years, so "he's moved into the community already."
"He's going to have a good, solid understanding of Triton School Corporation," Roth said.
Advice to Chittum from Roth: "Develop a good working relationship with school board members (and) get to know the board a little better."
"There are too many administrators nearing retirement, and the pool of qualified people is quite thin," Shively said Monday. "We felt like we got lucky in hiring Chittum. Those of us who knew him when he was here before thought a lot of him."
Chittum was the superintendent at Argos for nine years and the high school principal there for three years. Prior to that he was the assistant principal at Triton.
As to what Roth plans to do with his free time once retired, he said he hasn't "really decided yet."
"There's a lot of opportunities out there," Roth said. And playing golf is one of the opportunities he plans to take advantage of quite often. Other than that, Roth said, he had "nothing specific" planned for his future as a retiree.
Roth said he would miss his position as superintendent. But, more importantly, he will miss the people.
"It's the people that make any organization," Roth said. "We have great people working for us ... great school board members and great staff."
Roth said Triton School Corp. has the best staff - "as good as it's ever been."
"They've enhanced programming for our kids," he said of the staff.
Chittum's replacement as Triton Junior-Senior High School principal is assistant principal Glenn Weidner. Weidner served Triton as assistant principal for 10 years, coming from Plymouth in 1990. [[In-content Ad]]
BOURBON - Triton School Corp. Superintendent Rex Roth is in his 13th year with the school corporation. This is his last year. Roth will retire next summer.
"I think it's time to move aside and let someone with more energy than me (take over)," Roth said.
And that someone is Triton Junior-Senior High School Principal Ted Chittum.
"I think we're very fortunate to have someone with Ted's experience, interest in the job and energy level available," Roth said.
Now in his second year as high school principal, Chittum will assume his new position in July when Roth leaves. Roth submitted his resignation two weeks ago, but school board members have known for more than a year that Roth was considering retirement. So board members had time to consider a replacement.
"When Ted was hired, we wanted someone with good qualifications and to keep the continuity," school board president Dave Shively said Monday. "We've had numerous executive sessions on this issue."
Roth said Chittum was assistant principal for Triton High School in the 1980s, so he already knows the community and school well. He also said Chittum has lived next to the school for several years, so "he's moved into the community already."
"He's going to have a good, solid understanding of Triton School Corporation," Roth said.
Advice to Chittum from Roth: "Develop a good working relationship with school board members (and) get to know the board a little better."
"There are too many administrators nearing retirement, and the pool of qualified people is quite thin," Shively said Monday. "We felt like we got lucky in hiring Chittum. Those of us who knew him when he was here before thought a lot of him."
Chittum was the superintendent at Argos for nine years and the high school principal there for three years. Prior to that he was the assistant principal at Triton.
As to what Roth plans to do with his free time once retired, he said he hasn't "really decided yet."
"There's a lot of opportunities out there," Roth said. And playing golf is one of the opportunities he plans to take advantage of quite often. Other than that, Roth said, he had "nothing specific" planned for his future as a retiree.
Roth said he would miss his position as superintendent. But, more importantly, he will miss the people.
"It's the people that make any organization," Roth said. "We have great people working for us ... great school board members and great staff."
Roth said Triton School Corp. has the best staff - "as good as it's ever been."
"They've enhanced programming for our kids," he said of the staff.
Chittum's replacement as Triton Junior-Senior High School principal is assistant principal Glenn Weidner. Weidner served Triton as assistant principal for 10 years, coming from Plymouth in 1990. [[In-content Ad]]