At its regular meeting on Dec. 16, the Warsaw Community School Board of Trustees approved the recommendation by Superintendent Dr. Craig J. Hintz to promote Mr. David Hoffert to assistant superintendent for the school corporation with an effective date of Jan. 1. 

The title change restores a position that was eliminated a number of years ago. Hintz commented, “The size and complexity of our system is commensurate with other systems in the state who have determined the need for a similar position.” Mr. Hoffert will continue to serve as the chief academic officer while also taking on expanded duties and opportunities assigned and provided by the superintendent.

Hintz added, “I interacted with David for a couple of years before his return to WCS, and I have continued to mentor and prepare him to be a strong candidate to succeed me in the future.”

Jennifer Tandy, president of the Warsaw Community School Board, added, “David is from Warsaw and knows our school system very well. He brings an outstanding skill set to this position and we are confident that he will serve as a strong assistant to Dr. Hintz. David’s leadership and professionalism as our chief academic officer has continued to enhance the opportunities we have available for students at WCS.”

Commenting on his new title, Hoffert said, “I am grateful for the continued support and opportunity to grow under the leadership of Dr. Craig Hintz and the Warsaw Board of School Trustees as we move our WCS Mission forward to impact all students. I am extremely humbled and honored to serve my hometown community in this new role.”

Hoffert possesses a Bachelors of Secondary Education Degree from Anderson University, a Masters of Education Degree from Olivet Nazarene University, Principal Licensure from Indiana Wesleyan University, an Education Specialist’s Degree from Indiana State University, and the Indiana Superintendent’s License. He is currently pursuing a Ph.D. from Indiana State University with anticipated completion in 2014.

Prior to returning to the Warsaw Community Schools in 2011, Hoffert served as Principal of Northfield Junior/Senior High School in Wabash and as a high school social studies teacher and coach at Warsaw Community High School.

In other news, the Board of School Trustees discussed the proposed superintendent’s contract. The board allowed for a public hearing in which any objections or support for the contract could be stated prior to the approval process, which will take place in January.

According to Wendy Long, director of communications and language programs, several community members spoke during the public forum to express their gratitude and support for Dr. Craig Hintz and the work he has done since becoming superintendent at WCS.

The contract will approve Hintz for a base salary of $144,700, which when approved, will be in effect from Jan. 1 to June 30, 2015. With included salary benefits, the total monetary value of base salary and benefits will equal $164,218.52. Hintz will be granted a total of 25 vacation days.

“We did a study of schools with a similar size to us that we consider our league schools,” explained WCS Chief Financial Officer Kevin Scott. “We are trying to get in the range of schools with similar enrollment such as Southwest Allen County Schools, Northwest Allen County Schools, Valparaiso Community Schools and Penn-Harris-Madison Schools, which had an average of 8,700 kids. We have approximately 7,200 enrolled. The average superintendent salary for these schools was $159,000. We have projected that Dr. Hintz salary be $144,700, which is only about 90 percent of what the league average is.”

“You don’t want to be in a position were other schools will try to recruit your staff away,” stated Scott. “Retention of employees is important as it is expensive to retrain and recruit staff members and some positions are hard to rehire. You see use trying to find school bus drivers for instance. All of the these are factors for determining an appropriate salary.”

According to the contract, the proposed contract can be canceled by the board for reasons set out in Indiana statute. The superintendent and WCS can, by mutual agreement, cancel the proposed contract at any time.

The contract also states that the due to the fact that the board annually reviews the superintendent’s performance, salary and benefits may change at approval times. Changes could be seen in base salary, contributions or allowances. To view the full contract click here.

Other business:

• After 24 years of service, Linda Russell was recognized for her loyal and dedicated service to WCS and it’s students and staff. Her last day was Friday, Dec. 6. Russell received a plaque commemorating her service. She began work at WCS on Jan. 3, 1989.
• The board presented and approved the donation of $12,500 by Kosciusko County Educational Development to support the Middle School Success Coaches at Edgewood and Lakeview Middle Schools.
• According to Steve Farber, Gateway Education Center Principal, the center received an anonymous donation of $500 for the purchase of MudLove bracelets for each student. The bracelets have the word “Dream” on them. Each bracelet was $3.98 and 125 bracelets were purchased for a total of $493.75. The bracelets will be given to each student next Tues. Dec. 17, during the center’s Christmas meal.
• Click here to view the December personnel report. Click here to view the November financial report.