South Putnam hires new high school principal
The South Putnam School Board voted to hire Michael Schimpf as the new high school principal during a special session Wednesday evening.
The motion was passed with a 4-1 vote. Board member David Bombei cast the dissenting vote.
Schimpf will succeed Kieth Puckett. The long-time South Putnam staff member's retirement will be effective June 30.
Superintendent Bruce Bernhardt said Schimpf's 2-year contract will begin July 1.
"I feel so blessed to have the opportunity to lead South Putnam Junior/Senior High School in the community in which I live," Schimpf said after accepting the position Wednesday night.
Schimpf is a 1993 Greencastle High School graduate. He graduated from Purdue University in 1998, Indiana Wesleyan in 2010 and obtained a special education degree from Indiana State University in 2014.
Schimpf is finishing his first year as principal of Turkey Run High School, and is glad to be once again teaching in his home county.
"I have always been a Putnam County guy at heart," Schimpf said.
He started his education career at White's Junior/Senior High School teacher, but only taught there a year. In 1999, he began teaching at Greencastle High School.
During his 14 years at Greencastle, he coached track and field and was assistant football coach for a brief time. Schimpf said he enjoyed the interaction with the students.
"I was able to deal with great kids," Schimpf said.
He also served as assistant principal at Eminence Community Schools for two years.
As he prepares to make the move to South Putnam, Schimpf said he is looking forward to working with the excellent staff and teachers.
"It's a great school and I'm thrilled to be a part of it," Schimpf said, adding he hopes to continue to continue the school's tradition of excellent leadership.
"I know South Putnam is a school with strong leadership for many years. It is important for me to continue that."
Looking forward, Schimpf said he is excited to work with faculty and staff as the school makes the move to one-to-one computer use.
"The school is looking at 2016-17 as the potential time line to roll it out. This will be a big year for faculty and staff to get their hands on the technology and continue with professional development to see how those devices will be used in the classroom," Schimpf said.
Schimpf said in addition to being a positive academic leader, his family is a huge part of his life.
His wife, Kari, teaches preschool at Deer Meadow Primary School. His son Noah is a freshman and daughter Ally is a seventh-grader.