WWS hires temporary superintendent

Western Wayne Schools has hired a returning interim superintendent and a new assistant principal, and is again looking for a new school board member.

Superintendent search

During its June 11 meeting, WWS’ board voted 3-0 to approve a contract with Alice Johnson to oversee the district between leaders. Members Kris Bex and Phil Pflum were absent.

Johnson said she would work at WWS for a couple of weeks after the new superintendent is hired, or through July 30.

Johnson briefly served as WWS’ interim superintendent during the transition between George Philhower and Andy Stover, who was hired in August 2021. She is an education professor at Purdue University and a former Centerville-Abington teacher and Northeastern school board member.

In April, Stover announced he would join Fayette County School Corp. as its chief operating officer. WWS then began working with Indiana School Boards Association staff to recruit candidates.

Board members have completed the first round of interviews, Johnson told WWN.

Four executive sessions have taken place to receive information about and interview prospective employees. During the June 11 meeting, board members announced that an executive session that night had been canceled. Another executive session was scheduled for June 17.

On June 11, the board voted to approve Stover’s revised resignation as superintendent, taking effect June 30 instead of July 18. They also approved hiring Stover as director of titles and grants between July 1-18. Stover’s time in that role will be grant funded. Johnson said that revision will maximize corporation funds.

Johnson said Stover has done a great job keeping tasks outlined and is leaving detailed notes.

“It will be a smooth transition,” she said.

Stover, who oversaw grants for a Randolph County district before joining WWS, temporarily fills WWS’ job vacated by Chad Lieberman.

In March, Lieberman submitted his resignation overseeing WWS grants and titles, effective June 30, after he raised and reported concerns about employee and board member misconduct. The nature of the concerns have not been shared and no updates about Lieberman’s reports have been provided at public meetings since March.

Assistant principal

Lincoln Middle/High School Principal Renee Lakes introduced Melissa Zimmerman, new assistant principal. Zimmerman previously taught English for three years at Avon (Indiana) and five years at Muncie Central.

Zimmerman was born and raised in Jamaica. She came to America on a scholarship to Defiance (Ohio) College and has earned a master’s at Ball State.

“I’m super excited to work with students and get to know more about the school community,” Zimmerman said.

School board member search

Western Wayne Schools announced an at-large board vacancy on Monday, June 16, because of Phil Pflum’s recent resignation.

Candidates residing in western Wayne County must submit a letter of interest to P.O. Box 124, Milton, IN 47357, by June 27.

Personnel updates

Daria Sturgis was hired to teach summer geometry. She also resigned as a high school math teacher.

• Departures: Kaitlyn Lacey, agriculture teacher; Courtney Diercks, adjunct second grade teacher; instructional aides Kelley Hancock (high school special education) and Sandy Lewellen (elementary).
• Hire: Jerry Ingalls, adjunct teacher, elective physical education and alternative school
• One-year administrative contracts: LMHS’ Lakes and Athletic Director Rodney Klein, and Western Wayne Elementary Principal Elizabeth Miller and Assistant Principal Matt Truesdell.
• Noncertified staff contract renewals: Elementary: Treasurer Shelly Brumfiel and Secretary Jamie Davis. LMHS: Treasurer Jan Lunsford and Secretary Debbie McGinley. District: Robin Hokey, human resources director; Peggy Huesman, financial manager; Betty Huddleston, food services director; Stacie Huffine, information technology assistant; Jordan Scruggs, assistant technology director; Bethany McClain, nurse; Jeff Riggle, mechanic/transportation director; Linda Wynn, transportation director

In other business

• Parent Rick Smith asked WWS to reconsider its decision not to allow behavioral therapists on campus to work with students. He said his teenage son has benefited tremendously from assistance and improvements are documented. Smith said he thinks they should be considered on a case-by-case basis. All schools participating in East Central Indiana Special Services Cooperative made the decision. Johnson said she would follow up.
• Board member Brent Fortman said the portion of meetings designated for staff comments has been eliminated because some commented on topics that he said should go through the “chain of command.” They can still speak as residents. During public commentary, Miller said she thought she’d seen a resident entering with board members for a superintendent candidate’s interview. She asked what criteria were used to include a resident instead of WWS principals or other staff. As is their custom during public commentary, the board did not respond to the question.
• WWS approved a memorandum of understanding between WWS and Centerstone for mental health services. The agreement is the same as last year.
• Miller said a fourth grade teacher has been added because of a large cohort.
• Approved donations: $1,000 to FFA from MediCenter Pharmacy; $200 to auto shop from Whitewater Valley Corvette Club; $150 to Lincoln Middle School from Kiwanis; $500 to archery from Josh and Amber Jones; $750 to football from Contract Industrial Tool. For Business Professionals of America: World Central, Vorzeigen Machine Shop, Miller Wood, Ethan Ferhaber, Johns Manville and Dot Foods, $500 each; Pizza 3.14, $425; Steve/Kathy Meal and Blue Buffalo, $250; Barb Woolard and Brent Fortman, $200 each.