The Washington School Board hired Washington High School Principal Gary Puckett to replace Paul Goss at the central office.

Puckett, who has been with Washington Schools for 19 years, has been the principal at the high school for the last six. He was also an assistant principal for three years.

“I'm looking forward to the new challenges that the administrative assistant to the superintendent of Washington Community Schools brings,” Puckett said. “I view this position as a great opportunity for me to serve more students, administrators, teachers, staff members and the community of Washington.”

Goss is retiring after 34 years at the position. He will continue to serve as the Emergency Management Director for Daviess County.

Puckett said he was proud of the accomplishments he and the staff at WHS have done while being principal.

“WHS teachers and staff have been instrumental in implementing and maintaining many sound educational initiatives for student achievement and success,” Puckett said. “I look forward to still being a part of these important practices but in a different capacity.”

As for a replacement for Puckett, Superintendent Bruce Hatton was approved to post the position immediately. Hatton said after the meeting, he hopes to have a principal interviewed and ready for the board's approval on July 16. The posting will be statewide.

“We will receive applications probably up to the fourth of July,” Hatton said. “Hopefully we will screen and interview candidates as quickly as possible.”

In other personnel news, the board approved the hiring of three new elementary teachers to replace four that retired at the end of the school year. Teachers Quintin Myers, Lacy Showalter and Jennifer Skomp will replace the four.

Hatton said after the meeting that a fourth might be added after children register at the elementary schools and registration numbers require the fourth teacher.

In other business:

CORPORATION IMPROVEMENT

Assistant Superintendent Rebecca Dayton briefed the board on meetings to improve the corporation.

Teachers, administrators, board members met with consultant Steve Benjamin to address systematic change. On June 8, the committee met to redefine the school corporation's mission, vision and goals.

“This process assists us in moving the corporation forward with consensus and coordination among all levels,” Dayton said.

The committee created a “plan on a page” with learning goals and strategies. Among some of those goals were developing standards maps that will identify standards that will be taught, teachers receiving professional development for reading and writing, and engaging students in setting learning goals and tracking their own performance results.

“I think it was a very exciting day,” board member Peg Stephens said of the meeting, adding that everyone in the committee added constructive advice.

The plan and goals, Dayton said, is still developing.

“It is something we will do throughout the entire year,” she said.

RAINY DAY TRANSFERS

The board approved the transfer of $50,000 from debt service and $450,000 in capital projects into the corporation's rainy day fund.

PERSONNEL

The board accepted the following resignations: Jessica Lucas, elementary instructional assistant; Matt Hart as an elementary teacher and Brenda and Kevin Stallman as academic bowl coaches.

Teachers Brooke Browning, Mike Gregory and Tonya Jordan were rehired as teachers. Last month, the board had to not renew their contracts due to federal funding.

The following appointments were also accepted: Sue Clifton as junior class sponsor and assistant boys and girls tennis coach; Cheryl Lemon as junior class sponsor; Holly Payton and Connie Wilkerson as high school STAND sponsors and Marci St. John as junior BETA sponsor.

Teacher Megan Cornelius was approved for maternity leave.

For summer school, the following teachers and staff were approved: Ray Arvin, Anthony Barnard, Angela Barnard, Randy Burks, Leonard Counsil, Paula Counsil, Jeff Fisher, David Graf, Kelaine Harman, Maria Killion, Jeanette Lobeck, Jessica Lucas, Larry Mattes, Chad Niehaus, Nathaniel Rainey, Dale Reller, Wes Taylor, Cindy Wilson and Rhonda York.

REGISTRATION

Dates for school registrations were announced for the upcoming school year. For the elementary schools, registration will be from noon to 4 p.m. on Aug. 4, 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Aug. 5 and 8 a.m. to noon on Aug. 6.

At the junior high, registration is from 8 a.m. to noon on Aug. 11, from 8 a.m. to noon and 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Aug. 12 and from 8 a.m. to noon on Aug. 13. Parent orientation for seventh graders will be at 7:15 p.m. on Aug. 12.

For the high school, seniors will register from 8 a.m. to noon on Aug. 10, juniors from 8 a.m. to noon on Aug. 11, sophomores from 8 a.m. to noon on Aug. 12 and from 8 a.m. to noon on Aug. 13 for freshmen.