From left, Southern Hancock School Board members Jon Hooker, Laura Haeberle, Dan Walker, Matt Ackerman and Brian McKinney.
NEW PALESTINE — The search for a new superintendent for Southern Hancock schools is well underway to replace Lisa Lantrip, who announced earlier this year she’s stepping down at the end of the school year, saying so long with the Class of 2024.
Officials say, if all goes well, the new superintendent will be named before spring break.
The application process for the position officially opened Friday on the district’s website and will remain open until February 2.
The district’s school board has already shifted its focus toward finding a new leader for the district. Board president Dan Walker noted they sent out and posted a community-wide survey asking students, parents, teachers, employees and community members for their opinion.
“We want to hear exactly what kind of superintendent everyone wants, and we’re trying to reach as many people as we can because we’re looking for as much input as we can,” Walker said. “As a board, this is the primary focus of what we do, hiring and evaluating a superintendent, and we’re excited about that.”
Walker said they’ll collect the data and then review it and use it to help them determine who to hire based on what the community wants.
“All five of us board members are focused on the future and hiring the best superintendent we can come up with, and it all starts with the survey in finding out what kind of superintendent people want,” Walker said. “It will not be the five of us making this decision, it’s everyone in the community.”
Still, it will be the district’s school board who will have the final say on who is hired, and that’s why the board says input is most important. The board is also are using a University Search Team to aid in the hiring process.
A group of professors from universities across Indiana is in the process of collecting data based on what the community believes are the strengths, challenges and other important aspects a new superintendent should possess.
The University Search Team includes Dr. James Freeland, assistant professor, and Dr. Alice Johnson, assistant professor, Purdue University; Dr. Terry McDaniel, professor emeritus, Indiana State University; Dr. Michele Moore, clinical assistant professor, and Dr. Wally Burke, assistant professor emeritus, Indiana University; and Dr. Marilynn Quick, associate professor, Ball State University. Moore is leading the team.
“I feel like we will attract a strong pool of candidates and with the team’s help we’ll be able to find the person best suited for the job,” Walker said.
The tentative timeline for the superintendent search actually began back in October when the board approved using the University Search Team services to help them in the hiring process. Earlier this month, district officials released the Community Survey and will keep it open until December 22.
Following the closure of the application process in early February, an Executive Board Session is scheduled for Thursday, Feb. 8 where school board officials will meet with the University Search Team and discuss the applicants.
Walker said things will pick up quickly after that meeting with first and second round interviews slated from Feb. 12 through March 15. By March 18 the board is hoping to be able to advertise a new superintendent contract and name the new superintendent prior to the district’s spring break.
“This timeline is subject to change but is a good guideline we have created to work within,” Walker said. “We have built in time should we need to move things around should emergencies or surprises arise.”
The survey can be found on the district’s website at www.newpal.k12.in.us as well as the page for employment where applicants can apply under the district information tab.
