001So, we're going to get started. Um welcome everybody for being here. Um really excited about today. Um it's been a really it's been a unique experience. I've been honored to be a part of it. I've got to meet some really amazing people. We all have. Um it's been an education in education. Uh but really excited for today. Uh the first we kind of two meetings happening. The first of the two um is a hearing on the proposed superintendent contract and the terms of that contract. So, uh at this time we're going to take public comment regarding that contract and the terms set out. Um so, I'm going to open that up for public comment right now. The same rules apply as as always with public comment, 3 minute. Um but other than that, it's pertaining
002that topic. So, opening up for public comment right now. Okay. It's the shortest meeting we've ever had. I'm going to need a motion to adjourn that part of today's festivities. Do I have a motion? Do I have a second? All those signify All those in favor signify by saying I. I. I's have it. Motion carries. Now, we are on to the second portion of the meeting. Um right here where I'm going to turn it over to Don. We're going to give we're kind of recap how we got to where we are right now. Um it was a pretty well planned out process. Timeline was as close as we could stuck to, but I'm going to have Don kind of recap um where we're at and then we'll go from there. Sure. Uh basically this will
003be um kind of a timeline that includes the the procedures, the processes, steps that we took, and I echo um Mr. Kripe's comments that it was a very well thought out process. So, >> [clears throat] >> um we received the resignation of Superintendent Steve Troyer in February of this year. At that point, we contacted Tim Shelley, legal counsel from Vorwerk and Boyne, to determine correct protocol and procedures in hiring a new superintendent. We then contacted the University Search Team to support the search for potential candidates for that position. The University Search Team reviewed the candidates, checked licenses, and provided a list of the most qualified candidates. As a board, we met with the search team and decided to interview six candidates. As we shared at an earlier board meeting, the candidates were all of high
004quality. As part of this process, the search team aided in provided questions for the interview for the board to review. During the interviewing process, we maintained the same format for each interview, asking the same questions to get a true picture of each candidate. After the initial interviews, we invited two candidates for a second interview. During this time frame, we also performed thorough reference checks for each candidate. Upon our determination of the candidate for superintendent, we worked again with Tim Shelley, legal counsel, to create a contract. Upon agreement of the contract, we shared the contract with both the Ink Free News and Times Union, as well as posting it to our website for public review for the required 10 days. The contract proposed took into account previous community feedback, therefore removing the auto allowance stipend included
005in the previous superintendent contract. Additionally, we believe it is important to many community and staff members that our next leader lives in the Wawasee district. While this is not an expectation we can place on a superintendent, we are incentivizing a move with a $5,000 stipend due to the feedback from the community. It is also important to note that at the candidate's request, raises will be tied to teacher raises, so he will only receive a raise if the teachers receive one. We ask that any public questions be directed to the current interim superintendent, Dr. Diane Woodward. Dr. Woodward, were there any comments or questions? I received none. Okay. At this time, I'm going to turn the meeting back over to Mr. Craig. Okay. Um we are going to now open up the meeting to a second
006set of public comments. This is broad-based school business public comments, not specifically to the previous hearing we just had uh that was referencing the contract. This is a public comment period for anything. Okay. All right. Let's stay on track. All right, here you go. Okay. Now I get to read. All right. Our primary goal was to find a superintendent who will lead Wawasee to become the district that we all believe in. We are confident that we have done that and are excited to announce Kent Myers as our superintendent at Wawasee schools. Mr. Myers has the background as a teacher, building administrator, director of exceptional learners, and assistant superintendent. Through his 28 years in education, Mr. Myers has spent 26 years at Concord schools. While at Concord, he led several areas in the district with a
007focus on instructional instruction and curriculum. During this time, Concord has experienced strong academic gains at both the building and district levels under his leadership. Kent's wife, Kathy, has been a social studies teacher at Wawasee High School for 26 years, serving as a social studies department chair, senior sponsor, and student council leader. During this time, uh he has attended many academic, concerts, drama, and athletic events at Wawasee with Kathy. It was important to both of them to move to the Wawasee area, and they look forward to living in the community as soon as they find a home that fits their family. Mr. Myers' experience and connection to the Wawasee community were important to us, but his attributes of leadership, character, and loyalty were more most important. We believe that he is the right person to lead
008Wawasee Community Schools and look forward to the leadership. While this contract officially starts July 1st, he will begin on June 10th, being paid his daily rate through June 30th. With the need to hire a principal at Syracuse Elementary, an assistant athletic director, and getting a head start on meeting staff in the community before the school year, we are excited that he's able to begin in just a few weeks. With that introduction, uh I would like to ask if there is a motion to approve Kent Myers as our next superintendent and the contract and terms of the contract that were presented. Do I have a motion? I'll make a motion. Do I have a second? I'll second. Okay. All those in favor signify by saying aye. Aye. Opposed, nay. Motion carries. Well, okay. LET'S CLAP. >>
009[applause] >> REALLY EXCITED. NOW YOU TO TALK. >> [laughter] >> WELL, I'M excited too, and I want to thank Mr. Crye and the board for their trust in this in this opportunity. I am excited and honored to be the next superintendent at Wawasee. As Mr. Crye shared, I have been to a lot of events over the years, and I've always been impressed with the pride that the community has in our students. And that has that is something that has drawn me to to apply and and accept this position. Um when I applied, I shared that I had not applied for another superintendent job. I wasn't just out looking for a a job. I I wanted the right job, and um I have valued the experiences and the relationships that I have at Concord Schools. I've
010been there for 26 years, and that's important to me. Community relationships, staff relationships, student relationships. Um however, in this instance, my faith well, in all instances, my faith is important to me, and throughout the process, I have felt called and a connection to to Wawasee. I want to thank the board for challenging me with the questions that you asked to to make sure that it was a right fit, and appreciated that you created a clear expectation for for what you want in the next superintendent. I am I'm here first and foremost for our kids. Our kids can do great things, and I believe that. I believe that our decisions need to be made with kids at heart, and so that's what I will strive to do in all the decisions that we make here at
011Wawasee. Cathy and I are looking for a home. We have not moved for a long time, and so we're we're looking for a home that will fit us. I don't know when that will happen, but we look forward to to moving to the area sooner rather than later. As Mr. Crye shared, uh June 10th is coming up here soon, but there's a lot of things to to to accomplish this summer, and I'm looking forward to getting started on those. Hopefully, we'll get a chance to connect after our meeting today, and again, I want to thank the board uh and the trust of of the community for uh the honor of of being superintendent here at Walla Walla C. Thanks. Okay, thank you. Uh we have a couple more action items uh on the agenda today.
012I'm going to turn it back over to Don to uh present the first action item. Don. >> Sure. As you may know, >> [clears throat] >> we have not had a director of special services at Walla Walla C since last fall. To support the needs of our students, we have partnered with an outside agency to ensure we are not only compliant, but also able to support our students. This has been a significant cost to the district. We also believe that the support of our students is strongest when someone can support needs each day from within the district. Given this important need at Walla Walla C, we are pleased to share that Dr. Wilfong is willing to transition into this role at Walla Walla C. Given Dr. Wilfong's experience and knowledge of both Walla Walla C
013and education in general, we are excited for her willingness to provide strong leadership in this area. As a way to better support our district, Dr. Wilfong will be supporting special education, English language learners, high ability, and reading intervention, among other responsibilities. This will save the district significant funds from needing to contract with outside services again next year, as well as giving leadership for our ELL department. Given that Dr. Wilfong will support a variety of learners, and not only focus on special education, we also plan to change the title to director of exceptional learners. Okay. >> And at that time, I'll turn it back over to Mr. Craig. Yep. Um you guys have any questions on that? All right. Uh do I have a motion to move forward with the position as presented? I'll make a
014motion. I have a second. I second. All those in favor signify by saying I. I. I. Those in A. Motion carries. Okay. Our second of the two additional action items uh related um with with Dr. Wilfong's move to director of exceptional learners, we have an open assistant superintendent position. Um as we mentioned earlier, we had many highly qualified applicants for the superintendent position. Rather than casting another net for assistant superintendent applicants, potentially potentially taking more time, um and plus we just really didn't need to cuz we were so impressed, we identified a candidate, Dr. Michelle Walden, who we believe would serve the role of assistant superintendent at a very high level. Our responsibility as a board is to hire the superintendent, so we approached Kent with this possibility. He met Michelle, interviewed her, and determined
015he would love to team with her in providing just top-shelf leadership at Wawasee. It was clear to Kent, just as it was to the board, that Dr. Walden would be a great addition to the Wawasee family. Dr. Walden's passion for education and learning stands out in every aspect of her leadership. She's deeply committed to ensuring every student has access to a high-quality education that meets them where they are, while maintaining high expectations for growth and success. With experience as a high school chemistry, physics, and biology teacher, building principal, and assistant superintendent for the past 11 years, she brings a well-rounded perspective and a servant leader mindset to her work. Dr. Walden has led in areas including curriculum and instruction, school operations, transportation, school business, opening new schools, and legislative advocacy, always keeping students at the
016center of every decision. It was clear to Kent, just as it was to the board, that Dr. Walden would be a strong addition to the Wawasee family. With that said, do I have a motion to approve this position for Dr. Walden? I make a motion. Do I have a second? Second. All those in favor, signify by saying I. I. Opposed? Nay. Motion carries. Now, you get to talk. Oh, wait. >> [applause] >> Thank you so much. Thank you, Mr. Kripe and the entire board, and Mr. Myers. Um, this has just been an incredible experience, um, to say the least. Um, I'm very, very honored to be here, um, honored and excited to to serve the Wawasee community. Um, this through this process, this community has, um, not only inspired me, but I just am so
017in awe of the passion and the commitment and the deep care, um, that you show up every every time. Every every thing I could see, everything I could look at, every video I could watch, um, just showed that over and over and over again, this community showing up. And and that's one of the reasons I'm here. Um, it's going to take a little bit of time cuz I'm I'm 5 hours away, so, um, but I am committed to building a really strong relationship. That's who I am, um, very deep connection type person. Um, always listening and learning first. Um, learning is a passion of mine, and I believe that as education, we should lead as lead learners. Um, and so, that's what you'll find with me. Um, I look forward to working alongside this incredible
018network, um, of professionals here, um, and in our schools, um, and in the community, and parents, and and our students, of course. Um, for me, I believe that every child and and really every human for that matter deserves to be seen, valued, challenged, and supported. And I'm really passionate about ensuring that every single person gets that opportunity. Whether that's meaningful opportunities for learning or professional development, whatever that looks like that we're all receiving that high-quality next-level education in each of our professional paths, especially our students. Um like Mr. Myers, this role is much much more than a job to me like you would find in most of our teachers across our district. The entire process has been a complete walk of faith and an opportunity for my family and I to answer really a deep
019calling to serve this community. It was very clear to us that this is where we were to be. Um my husband, Eric, and two of our four children, Noah and Michaela, are with me tonight. And I'm really thankful for their continued to support that allows me the opportunity to serve in this way. Um you don't work in these types of roles without a huge backing behind you and and they're my team. Um I'm incredibly grateful for the trust that Mr. Myers and this entire board is putting in in me and I I don't take that for granted. I really look forward to learning alongside the community, supporting our entire team here at Wawasee, partnering with families, celebrating the great things happening, and I'm ready to get started. So, you'll see me as soon as possible.
020June 15th is when I planned to land. My only nervous point at this point is where I'm going to live, but we'll figure that out. So, >> [laughter] >> thank you. Thank you. >> [applause] >> Okay, before we adjourn, we're going to have a meet and greet. Is it right here? Yeah, right out there. Yep, in the back. In the back. Okay. Grab you some pictures and such, but you're welcome to stick around um and get to know our new team members, but um yeah, we have the meet and greet and that's all I have. Do I have a motion to adjourn? I'll make a motion. Do I have a second? Second. All those in favor signify by saying I. I. Opposed nay. Motion carries. Thank you. Everybody. Photographs are now? Mhm.