VALPARAISO | The Valparaiso Community School Board became the first in the state to comply with a newly enacted law by publicly announcing the compensation parameters for a new interim superintendent.
Attorney David Hollenbeck said Public Law 148, which went into effect July 1, stipulates school boards must have a public meeting prior to setting the terms of a superintendent's contract and take public comment as to what is on the table during negotiations with a potential candidate.
Hollenbeck said after presenting the options for negotiations, the board must wait seven days before engaging in any contract negotiations with a superintendent candidate.
School Board President Mark Maassel said the waiting period won't be a problem because no individual has been selected for the position and the board is just starting to put together lists of qualities it wants in an interim superintendent, who will be at the helm for one to two years.
"Our goal is to find a very strong, very qualified individual that can be a leader," Maassel said.
Board member Paul Knauff said the successful candidate has to have "proven success in a central office," and be able and willing to build positive relationships with faculty, staff, parents and the community.
All board members said experience is going to be key in the selection.
"I think we need a superintendent that can lead us forward, not just keep us running in place," board member Jim Jorgensen said.
Maassel said once the board has a candidate in mind, it will have another meeting to present that candidate to the community. The board must have a public vote on his or her approval.
Maassel said he's hopeful an interim superintendent will be named before the start of the school year.
Superintendent Andrew Melin resigned recently to take a superintendent position in downstate Jeffersonville.
Please Wait…