Dr. Craig J. Hintz, superintendent of Warsaw Community School Corporation, may be the recipient of the biggest award ever bestowed upon a Warsaw superintendent.
Hintz has been selected State Superintendent of the Year for 2013 by the Indiana Association of Public School Superintendents.
During the Warsaw School Board public work session Tuesday afternoon, board president Jennifer Tandy announced the news, which was officially released by the IAPSS at 4 p.m.
As Indiana’s Superintendent of the Year, Hintz will be the state’s representative in the American Association of School Administrators National Superintendent of the Year program. The national winner will be announced Feb. 21-23 in Los Angeles during the AASA conference.
“It’s very exciting, very honorable that our school corporation has Hintz representing us,” Tandy said.
Hintz told the board he was very humbled by the award. He was nominated by Tippecanoe Valley School Corporation Superintendent Brett Boggs for the honor.
There are about 291 superintendents in the state, Hintz said.
He said the important thing was that Warsaw Schools has a great team here. The honor reflects all the hard work put in by the teachers, staff, administrators and administration cabinet.
“Without the support of the board, this would not have been possible,” Hintz said. “I want to express my deep appreciation and gratitude to everyone working to meet the needs of our 7,000 students.”
After the board meeting, Hintz added, “This award really represents the hard work of all the entire staff in the school corporation. I’m very proud of the direction and the results of our hard work.”
When the Indiana Department of Education releases the grades of all the schools in the state Oct. 31, Hintz said the community will be pleased with what Warsaw Schools’ grades are. He said he was excited by the preliminary grades, and the community will be very proud of them because of all the hard work of WCS’s staff and students.
“At a time when school districts across the state are wrestling with declining resources and increased expectations, under Dr. Hintz’s leadership Warsaw Community School Corporation is flourishing by maximizing outside resources,” said Dr. Walter Bourke, IAPSS executive director, in a press release from the IAPSS Tuesday afternoon. “The district was selected earlier this year by the Indiana Department of Education to receive the state’s largest innovation grant to create an elementary school science, technology, engineering and mathematics academy. It was also the Organizational Partner of the Year for 2011 for OrthoWorx, a community-based initiative working with the orthopedic industry and other stakeholders in the Warsaw area. Dr. Hintz and the district are using these grants and partnerships to develop strategic focus, enhance academic programs and provide leadership training for administrators and principals.”
Warsaw is home to three multi-billion dollar global companies in the medical device industry, representing nearly one-third of the global orthopedic market.
“His drive to make Warsaw Community Schools among the best in the nation is consistent with the needs and aspirations of the orthopedic industry,” said Brad Bishop, executive director of OrthoWorx. “We compete on a global basis and our future depends on our ability to attract and retain the best minds in a wide variety of disciplines.”
Hintz is working toward making Warsaw Community School the education capital of Indiana and a national model for educational excellence, according to the release. Hintz worked with the community to develop a strategic plan which culminated in the following mission statement: “Our mission is to inspire and equip all students to continuously acquire and apply knowledge and skills while pursuing their dreams and enriching the lives of others.”
In addition to creating the elementary STEM academy, Warsaw Community School Corporation recently implemented full-day kindergarten in all elementary schools. The district also enhanced its world language offerings, including Mandarin Chinese, as well as adding courses in dance, culinary arts, biomedical, Project Lead the Way curriculum for STEM, orchestra, and additional Advanced Placement and dual credit courses.
During Hintz’s tenure, the high school graduation rate has increased by nearly 12 percent and student achievement has increased exponentially, ranking 11th in the state for growth, according to the release.
Dr. Tony Bennett, Indiana Superintendent of Public Instruction, said, “Craig’s level of excellence is second to none. Under his leadership as superintendent, Warsaw Community School Corporation has become one of the top school districts in our state. Additionally, his attention to detail has driven quality decision making affecting more than 7,000 students.”
Hintz has served as Warsaw Community Schools’ superintendent since 2009. He previously served as a school improvement specialist in Minnesota, an associate deputy and associate superintendent for the Minneapolis Public Schools, associate superintendent for the Minnetonka (Minnesota) Public Schools, superintendent of the Metropolitan School District of Warren Township in Indianapolis, and an administrator and teacher in the North Scott (Iowa) Community School District.
Hintz earned his bachelor’s degree from Truman State University, his master’s degree from Phillips University, an education specialist degree from Western Illinois University, and his education doctorate from Indiana University. Hintz, a veteran of the United States Air Force, retired from the United States Army Reserve at the rank of lieutenant colonel.
