With his wife, twin sister, children and grandchildren in the audience, Warsaw Community Schools Superintendent Dr. Craig Hintz received the Sagamore of the Wabash Monday evening. The honor, the highest an Indiana governor can bestow, was presented during a program for Hintz prior to the school board’s regular monthly meeting. A reception was held before both. Hintz is retiring effective June 30 after five years. Assistant Superintendent and Chief Academic Officer Dr. David Hoffert was named his replacement, effective July 1. In presenting the Sagamore to Hintz, Hoffert said, “We’ve been going through the thought process of how do we recognize someone who has 45 years of service in public education. An incredible career. ... We had a couple different ideas going into this. Some of them are outside of our control. And we’re very thankful for forces up above us because we decided a couple of months ago to put in a request for the Sagamore of the Wabash, which is an honor by the state of Indiana for service, much more than just education.” Nominations for Hintz to receive the honor came from his Cabinet, the school board and State Rep. Rebecca Kubacki’s office. Hoffert read some highlights from Hintz’s career, from his education to his administrative experiences. The narrative touched on his professional development activities, community partnerships and recent publications, articles and presentations. Hoffert read, “Dr. Hintz’s many notable achievements since joining Warsaw Community Schools as superintendent of schools in 2009 include adopting a community-developed strategic plan, designed to provide a roadmap for the future for students and families served by WCS. Through its implementation WCS has created a STEM academy; free full-day kindergarten; enhanced world language offerings, additional courses in dance, orchestra, culinary arts, and biomedical sciences; Project Lead the Way; a Junior ROTC program, and additional Advanced Placement and dual-credit classes. “Other notable achievements during Dr. Hintz’s tenure in Warsaw Community Schools include the implementation of Professional Learning Communities and strong relationships with community groups and organizations, a school corporation grade ‘A’ rating for two consecutive years from the Indiana Department of Education, and being named the 2013 Indiana Superintendent of the Year.” Jennifer Tandy, school board president, was quoted in the narrative as stating, “Dr. Hintz has led WCS through a remarkable transition that has resulted in improvements that will benefit students and the local community for years to come. 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.” Hoffert then read the Sagamore award, which says, in part, “Now therefore, recognizing his greatness, desiring to avail myself of his counsel, I do hereby appoint him (Hintz) a chieftain among my staff with the rank and title of Sagamore of the Wabash.” It’s signed by Gov. Mike Pence. In his response, addressing Hoffert, Kubacki, the school board and his Cabinet, Hintz said, “I cannot express enough the appreciation and gratitude and the thanks for the opportunity to serve in this school corporation. It seems like 2009 was just yesterday, and I am so proud of this community, all of the communities that Warsaw serves. I’m very proud that I had the opportunity to come here and be a part of this community and help this system move forward in the right direction.” He said he’s looking forward to the next chapter of his life, including spending time with his family. “When you make the declaration that something is ending after 45 years, that’s pretty big. And I couldn’t be happier for the system, and I know I have every confidence in our school board and in David that this system will become an even better school system,” he said. He recognized his wife, Susan; his twin sister from Iowa, with whom he celebrated their 67th birthday; his children and grandchildren who were present; many close friends who traveled to Warsaw for the occasion; and the community members who attended Monday’s activities. “It just means so much that you are a part of this celebration. So I will say thank you for the opportunity to serve and the opportunity to make a difference. I can proudly state that this district is on the move,” he said. He concluded by reciting the school corporation’s mission statement. Hoffert said the Sagamore award wouldn’t have been possible without Kubacki’s help. Kubacki then said she had the honor of having Hintz come to the statehouse previously to award him a resolution for being named the Indiana Superintendent of the Year. “To live in this community, and see the superintendents that come in, and to have him there, there was such a pride in where he’s taking our school and where our students are going and what they’ve done. It’s an honor that really was more mine than Dr. Hintz’s. We just can’t thank him enough. He has hard shoes to fill, but David, you’ll do a wonderful job,” Kubacki said, thanking Hintz for everything he’s done for the community. Tandy then presented Hintz with another award from the school board and WCS for his 45 years in public education and the five years of “exemplary service” to WCS. “On behalf of the board and the community, we just want to say how much Dr. Hintz has meant to this system. It’s been a transformational time for the community and the system. Just you having your talents of listening and bringing people together, and we’re not separate buildings anymore, we’re a system. And that is so important. This system is going places because you’ve been a leader,” Tandy stated.
