Greater Clark Schools Decides Fate of Superintendent Soon

Indiana’s Greater Clark County School Board will meet in executive session Tuesday to discuss the future of Superintendent Stephen Daeschner.“We’re just going to put everything out on the table and talk about it and ask questions so that we know what direction we can head in and what directions are cut off so we have an idea of how we want to move forward,” said school board president Christina Gilkey.Daeschner has been credited with improving student test scores, and meeting necessary progress according to the No Child Left Behind Act; but the district needs to decide how to trim around $4 million from its budget. Part of the board’s decision includes cutting the superintendent’s $225,000 salary, which is among the highest in Indiana.Talks will now revolve around what role Daeschner will play when his contract expires next summer, but his role may not be limited to superintendent, said Gilkey.“A lot of people are saying, we understand you maybe can’t keep him at the same salary, but you know he’s done so well in curriculum, maybe you can find some way to keep him because of that,” she said.Daeschner and the board will entertain options Tuesday night, which may include a demotion for less pay. Daeschner is not expected to make any proposal at this time, but Gilkey said she expects him to offer up ideas about where he sees himself fitting in with the district.It’s safe to say next year’s superintendent budget will decrease, said Gilkey.