Published: July 15, 2009 01:09 pm      

Greater Clark County Schools board makes changes

Daeschner’s first meeting brings new board president, assistant superintendent, principal

In their first meeting with new Superintendent Stephen Daeschner, Greater Clark County Schools board members made changes Tuesday night, switching out leadership positions on the board, and hiring an assistant superintendent and principal.

The board started off the meeting at 5 p.m. for a work session, where Daeschner discussed tentative goals for the board to consider. At 6 p.m., members took an hour-long executive session which included dinner and came back at 7 p.m. for the regular meeting.

At the start of that regular meeting, the board voted to appoint new leadership.

Only one recommendation was made for each of the three positions: President, vice president and secretary.

Brian Jones, board member, made those motions, but left shortly after the vote.

Ernie Gilbert was picked to serve as president, with a 6-1 vote, with outgoing president Bob McEwen voting against.

In a 6-1 vote, Christina Gilkey was chosen to be vice president. Missy DeArk, outgoing secretary, was the lone no vote.

DeArk said that Gilbert had called her and asked for her vote to be president, but that this was the first time she heard of Gilkey wanting the second seat.

She said she didn’t know Gilkey’s objectives.

“My biggest objective is to support Dr. Daeschner to help him do the job we asked him to do,” Gilkey answered back.

DeArk asked Gilkey if she really felt that she could do that, since she was the lone vote against hiring Daeschner earlier this year.

“I didn’t vote for his contract,” Gilkey said of the $225,000 a year contracted salary approved by the board for Daeschner. “That had nothing to do with him.

“Once that 6-1 vote occurred, I’m all in, just like anyone else.”

However, the explanation didn’t change DeArk’s vote.

Robbie Valentine, outgoing vice president, was picked to be the new secretary, with a 7-0 vote.

DeArk thanked him for calling her and asking for her vote.



NEW ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT, PRINCIPAL

During the meeting, Daeschner mentioned that in the upcoming personnel report the board would be voting whether to hire Amy Hasselbring to be principal at New Washington Elementary School.

She would replace Betty Bennett, who retired at the end of the last school year, according to Connie Pavey, executive assistant to the superintendent.

However, the personnel report was passed 6-0, with Jones missing, and no reference was made at the meeting about what changes were approved, including the appointment of a new assistant superintendent, Travis Haire.

Haire, director of student services, had been working as interim superintendent before Daeschner was hired. Haire said his director position’s duties have been divided up between different people, including himself.

He said his new job comes with different responsibilities, including working closely with secondary schools and curriculum.

“I’m very excited and I’m very honored,” Haire said of becoming assistant superintendent. “I’m excited to work with Dr. Daeschner.”

Hasselbring comes to Greater Clark from Clarksville Community School Corp., where she had been the curriculum director. However, she was recently moved to the director/dean of student services position at Clarksville Middle School.

“I’m very excited. I’m looking forward to this opportunity,” Hasselbring said, adding that her experience at Clarksville helped prepare her for this position.



CHANGING MEETING TIMES

Board members talked about when to set the meeting dates and times for the upcoming school year. They discussed keeping the same format they used Tuesday, having three meetings in one night, with the middle one being closed to the public on the second Tuesday of the month.

They also discussed possibly having another meeting on the fourth Tuesday of the month, if needed, as a board meeting or work session.

Daeschner said he will come up with a calendar of when those dates will fall for the board to vote on at the next meeting, which was set for July 28.



IN OTHER BUSINESS

• The board approved a change order of $76,393.90 to Advanced Electrical Systems to pay for additional wireless outlets needed at Charlestown High School to support the one-to-one computer initiative that is to start this school year.

• The board agreed to hire consultant Jim Metcalf for $60 an hour out of economic stimulus funds. Board members said Metcalf will help the corporation increase efficiencies and save money.

• The board also submitted conflict of interest disclosures. In a board packet obtained prior to the meeting by The Evening News, six of the seven board members submitted disclosures.

— McEwen pointed out that he is development director for the city of Charlestown and is an appointee of Gov. Mitch Daniels’ professional standards board until 2013.

— Gilkey cited none.

— Gilbert pointed out that his wife, Kathy, is the supervisor of federal programs.

— Jones listed Emily Oliver-Jones, who is a paraeducator at New Washington Middle/High School.

— Becka Christensen said she owns Affairs of the Heart, a florist that may be called upon by employees and others for service.

— Valentine listed the Robbie Valentine Enterprises/Stars Club program at Parkview and River Valley middle schools.

— DeArk’s was not included.