Lewis to step down as Greencastle AD

Friday, January 4, 2013
Kelly Lewis

The search for a new athletic director will be added to the to-do list for Greencastle Community Schools this summer.

School officials confirmed for the Banner Graphic on Friday that athletic director Kelly Lewis has submitted his letter of resignation from the position, effective at the end of the 2012-13 school year.

No school board action on the resignation has been taken, but it will be part of the board's personnel report for the Wednesday, Jan. 9 meeting.

Lewis was named the athletic director on June 1, 2012. He was chosen from among 37 applicants.

At the time of the hiring, school officials emphasized the understanding of capital projects and fundraising as keys to the job.

Lewis was an unconventional hire in a position often staffed by former coaches and teachers. However, his 12 years in the financial services industry, along with experience managing youth sports organizations seemed important to the hiring committee.

Lewis had previously served as a Greencastle Township appointment to the Greencastle School Board since July 2008.

Lewis stepped down from his school board position in May 2012 in order to be considered for the athletic director vacancy.

Unlike the resignation of former Greencastle High School Principal Jennifer Shepherd and the ongoing leave of absence of Superintendent Lori Richmond, Lewis' advance notice of departure does not leave the school short-handed at this time.

On the other hand, interim GHS Principal Russ Hesler is operating with no assistant, as is acting superintendent Dawn Puckett.

With Shepherd having officially parted ways with GCSC in December, the school is free to search for a new high school administrator at this time.

Hesler remains the interim principal, but board members indicated in December they could be interested in naming him principal, which would open the assistant principal position.

In the case of the superintendent, Richmond's departure, while apparently imminent, is not official. No replacement, either for superintendent or assistant superintendent, may be sought until after Richmond's exit is final.

As with Hesler, school board members appeared interested in taking Puckett from an interim to a permanent appointment when the opportunity arises.

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  • I think the biggest problem with the hiring of Mr. Lewis was the perception (and perhaps reality) of the good old boys club at work. It is not ethical to step down from the board one month and be hired by the board the next.

    Even more concerning, is the idea that we don't need educators in these important positions. This is yet another example of the de-professionalization education. It should be an important value to have educators working with our children.

    Yes we need someone with athletic and financial experience. But ultimately, the person in this position is an educator first.

    -- Posted by greencastle1 on Fri, Jan 4, 2013, at 2:26 PM
  • I am so sick and tired of hearing about "the good old boys club" It has nothing to do with that, Mr Lewis is a good man, and was a good pick for the job. AS far as that position being held by educators it is not necessary. A very large portion of Athletic Directors both High School and College are NOT teachers. The Board made a good choice when they hired Mr.Lewis, I am sure they will make a good choice in his replacement.

    -- Posted by formertigercub on Fri, Jan 4, 2013, at 5:57 PM
  • And the beat goes on, the beat goes on.

    -- Posted by Lookout on Sat, Jan 5, 2013, at 10:48 AM
  • Whether or not Mr. Lewis was a good fit really isn't the issue. He may have been able to do a good job. The issue remains that he was appointed under sketchy circumstances at best. This has been another black eye to a very battered school system and many feel this latest resignation is another positive step to move forward.

    -- Posted by lkcrawle on Sun, Jan 6, 2013, at 9:34 AM
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