Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
SOUTH WHITLEY - Either because of the poor weather, the lack of interest or a combination of both, only a dozen people attended the Whitko School Board special meeting Monday.
But those there were vocal in their opinions about what they wanted to see in Whitko's next superintendent and about how the superintendent should be chosen.
Current Whitko School Corp. Superintendent Dr. William Worl is retiring after this school year, effective July 1. The purpose of Monday's meeting was for the school board to receive input from the community on the next superintendent to replace Worl. Another meeting on the matter is scheduled for Feb. 10 at Pierceton Elementary School at 6:30 p.m.
Scott Darley said the qualities the next superintendent must have include the ability to deal with shrinking state funding, ability to improve Whitko's test scores, ability to improve Whitko's drop-out rate and ability to work on a plan to improve the college graduation rates of Whitko students who go on to higher education.
Four questions the superintendent candidate should be asked, he said, include, why are they leaving their present school system, how many years do they have left on their contract, how would they handle a shrinking teaching staff and would they sign a three-year contract that includes a one-year probationary period? It is also important, he said, that the school board knows where the superintendent will live. Whether the next superintendent chooses to live in the community or to commute will show their interest in the school corporation community.
Former school board member Deb Collier and at least one other woman at the meeting advocated Whitko Director of Curriculum Dr. Diana Showalter to replace Worl. The woman said Showalter has given so much to the school corporation already and she is at many school corporation activities.
"I think she's a candidate," she said.
Also, she said, she wants to see a superintendent who encourages quality teaching, innovation, continuing education and creativity in the classroom.
Hal Trump, board president, said Showalter will be one of their final candidates.
Another woman suggested that a committee of teachers, administrators and parents help with the process of selecting a new superintendent.
Deb Michel said when the school corporation hires a new teacher or building administrator, a committee of teachers and parents helps select them. A school superintendent should be no different, she said.
Indiana code, according to school board member Dave Tranter, allows the five school board members to select the corporation's superintendent. While the board can expand the procedure for doing so, it is the board that has the final say. The reason for the public input meetings is to get the public's thoughts on the issues.
If the school board wants teachers, staff and parents to feel good about the next superintendent, said one woman, the school board needs to include them in the interviewing process.
One parent/school corporation employee said Worl brought a lot to the school corporation that it needed for a long time. She said she wants that to continue. Worl, she said, makes everyone feel important and needed, from the janitorial staff on up. The next superintendent really needs to care about the community, the students, the students' education and the students' everyday experience.
Julie Underhill also said communication is key for the next superintendent.
The timetable for the new superintendent selection process includes: Feb. 10, community input meeting at Pierceton Elementary School, 6:30 p.m.; March 1, completed applications submitted; March 4, school board meets with University Screening Committee; March 10, interviews conducted by the board begin; no later than April 28, superintendent selection by the board; July 1, the new superintendent assumes duties.
