Professors help with WWS superintendent search

With three other college professors, Western Wayne Schools’ interim superintendent is leading the review of applications for Cambridge City’s top education job.

Applications were due Friday, July 10. WWS’ interim superintendent, Alice Johnson, said after the Wednesday, July 8, board meeting, that they’d love to have the new leader on board before school starts.

Immediately after the public meeting, WWS’ board conducted an executive session to receive information about and interview prospective employees; discuss job performance, compensation, and terms and conditions of individual employees; and receive training from an outside consultant about their role as public officials.

The four-member University Search Team, which includes educational leadership faculty from Purdue, Ball State, Indiana and Indiana State universities, has helped Indiana school districts hire new superintendents for more than 60 years. The team’s website says its services are free except for mileage reimbursement, typically less than $500.

Johnson is on the search team as Purdue’s representative and serves as its leader. She is a clinical associate professor in Purdue’s Department of Education Leadership and Policy Studies.

When WWS Superintendent Andy Stover resigned in 2025, WWS’ board hired a different entity, Indiana School Boards Association, to lead the search that led to the hiring of former superintendent Kelly Plank.

WWS’ latest application form describes the district as a close-knit district committed to providing students with “opportunities to soar” through strong academic and occupational experiences, a disciplined learning environment and a focus on developing community-minded learners.

It says the position is “an excellent opportunity for a leader who values relationships, small-town community connection and the ability to make a meaningful impact across an entire school system.”

The superintendent application asks candidates five essay questions, such as what unique strengths, skills and experiences make them the right fit for the district; how they’d position WWS as the preferred choice for families in a competitive environment; how they ensure community members and families feel informed, heard and respected, especially during challenging situations; how they ensure district resources are aligned with strategic priorities and student needs; and what steps they’d take to lead continuous academic growth while honoring Western Wayne’s culture, strengths and community values.

During the meeting, resident Jim Antle said the community wants to help the board and said meetings are where the board should inform the public about what’s going on. He distributed pamphlets about benefits of a classical education to board members, including classical liberal arts and sciences and civic education. He said getting a candidate’s views on the topic should be part of the hiring process.

Antle said the current board faces a challenging task even more difficult than beginning and overseeing renovations: developing an educational concept that makes WWS stand out more than any other to help with student recruitment. He said Seven Oaks Classical School in the small community of Ellettsville, Indiana, has a waiting list.

The application also asks candidates five questions including whether they are being investigated or under a process to consider their discharge for misconduct from their current employer; if they’ve ever been reprimanded, disciplined, discharged or asked to resign; if they’ve ever resigned from a position without being asked but while being investigated regarding sexual conduct, fund mishandling or other criminal matters; and if they’ve ever pleaded guilty or no contest, or been convicted or placed on probation.

During the July 8 meeting, the board approved a separation and resignations agreement for Employee 172. Although the board didn’t disclose that person’s name, it appeared to be Plank.

On May 22, WWS hired Johnson as interim superintendent immediately after approving a recommendation of separation of employment for Employee 172. The brief special meeting only included those two items.

On May 11, WWS put Plank on administrative leave the day she was formally charged with one count of Level 5 felony battery resulting in serious bodily injury in Henry County, where she lives.

Plank is accused of injuring a woman April 5 during an argument at the Elks Lodge No. 484 in New Castle.

When the charge was filed, attorney Sean Row of New Castle entered a plea of not guilty on Plank’s behalf. Court records show that on June 2, Mark McKinney of Muncie’s McKinney & Co. Law became Plank’s attorney.

A pretrial conference is currently scheduled for Aug. 13 with a jury trial on Sept. 14, but those proceedings are often rescheduled, especially after new counsel is appointed.

In other business

• The board renewed agreements for two ongoing programs, one with Richmond Family YMCA for its YCare program at Western Wayne Elementary School and Boys & Girls Clubs of Wayne County for its after-school program at the former Pershing school. In exchange for use of WWES classrooms, SugarCreek offers eight free childcare seats to WWS employees worth about $50,000; last year, 10 wanted care so they each paid $26 per week. Community parents can request scholarship assistance.
• WWS received its $2,105,128.97 payment in June from Wayne County’s May property taxes and $7,300.58 from the local option tax.
• Lincoln Middle/High School’s track should be ready for sports practices and public access by early August after topping is added this week. It had to cure for 21-30 days before more layers and line painting. Matt Webb, facilities director, said the track is likely the district’s most used public space.

Personnel

• Hires: Whitney Dunaway, elementary instructional aide; cheer coaches Paige Robinson, varsity; Ana Murphy, assistant; Carly Payne, middle school
• East Central Indiana Special Services: Contract renewal for Liza Bates; letters of intent to employee staff; and departures of Karlie Judd and Brittany Singer. ECISS’ board already approved the matters.