Northeastern Wayne Schools has appointed an interim superintendent after its leader’s resignation.
As of Aug. 2, Jennifer O’Brien is the district’s interim superintendent. She recently became NWS’ assistant superintendent. The board approved O’Brien for the interim role during a special July 29 meeting.
Before joining the district as Northeastern Elementary School’s assistant principal, O’Brien served as an interim superintendent for Richmond Community Schools. She led the district during 2020-2021 before Curtis Wright was hired.
O’Brien previously worked for RCS for about 20 years as a teacher, principal, chief human resources officer and assistant superintendent.
Also during its July 29 meeting, the board approved Matthew Hicks’ resignation as superintendent after announcing his planned departure earlier in the month. Hicks’ resignation took effect Aug. 1.
Hicks has begun work as superintendent of Munster schools in northwest Indiana. He noted in a welcome letter on Munster’s website that he worked closely on strategic planning, student achievement and building positive school cultures while at Northeastern.
Another administration change approved on July 29 was the resignation of Rebecca Harrell, who was Northeastern’s Early Learning Center director and special education coordinator. Richmond Community Schools has hired Harrell as its Crestdale Elementary School principal.
To prepare for the Aug. 6 start of school, administrators also asked the board to allow the superintendent to hire certified employees through that date before the board could take action at its next regularly scheduled meeting.
On Aug. 5, NWS leaders announced via social media that Shannon Hardy is changing positions. She is the new preschool director and NELC lead teacher.
Northeastern’s board then conducted an Aug. 6 executive session. The agenda was limited to receiving information about and interviewing prospective employees. A similar executive session has been scheduled for Aug. 14.
The board’s regular public meetings are at 6 p.m. the third Wednesday of each month, usually at the student services center, 7299 U.S. 27 N., Fountain City. The public may attend.
Additional personnel updates
New hires
- NHS: Stephanie Hornack, science teacher; Denise Baker, special education teacher
- NES: Barb Gray, substitute teacher; Tyler Thacker, library instructional assistant; Emma Howard, instructional assistant
- NELC instructional assistants: Courtney Scherer, Samantha Whallon, Kierra Wright
Change in status
- NHS: Amanda Villanueva, part-time to full-time instructional assistant; Allison McCumons, summer supervised agricultural experience split position to full summer position
Extracurricular activities
- NMS: Paige Reed, seventh grade volleyball coach; Chloe Bennett, eighth grade volleyball coach
- NMS/NHS: Trevor Hall, middle and high school choir director and summer NHS assistant band director
- NHS sponsors: Charlie O’Brien, science academic team; Heather Smith, student council; Steve Hornak, gamers’ club; Trisha Peters, art club; Amanda Villanueva, junior class; Brianna Jay-Sheets, Damsels director and winterguard sponsor
Departures
- NHS: Derek Schunk, science teacher; Lisa Baxter, special education teacher; Kevin Cool, summer supervised agricultural experience split position
- NMS: Olivia Detweiler, math intervention teacher; Brooke Lepper, volleyball coach
- NELC: Alissa Corder and Lanie Short, instructional assistants
A version of this article appeared in the August 13 2025 print edition of the Western Wayne News.