GCSC board welcomes Lazar, several new hires

Assuming her new role on the Greencastle School Board, Lisa Lazar (left) takes the oath of office from Greencastle Community Schools human resources director Ray June Turner. Appointed by the Greencastle City Council last month, Lazar replaces Bill Tobin on the board.

New appointees to the Greencastle School Board officially take office on July 1, but it's usually a bit later in the month before they get the chance to make their first decisions.

A special meeting on Tuesday, July 1 had new board member Lisa Lazar hit the ground running on day one.

Lazar took the oath of office Tuesday from GCSC human resources director Ray June Turner. She was then welcomed by fellow board members Mike White, Gary Haussin, Denise Sigworth and Dale Pierce.

The Greencastle City Council selected Lazar to serve on the board during its June meeting. The council chose her over incumbent Bill Tobin.

The brief meeting also featured the approval a number of personnel items, including hiring four new teachers.

These included Brooke Lewis as fourth grade special education teacher at Tzouanakis, Lucas Pittman as special education teacher at Greencastle Middle School, Michelle Thomas as fifth grade teacher at Tzouanakis and Isabel Rocha as elementary art teacher at Deer Meadow and Ridpath.

Kenda Christy was also hired as a temporary teacher at Tzouanakis during Jessica Stockton's first semester maternity leave, and Samantha Burke was approved as a summer school substitute teacher at Greencastle High School.

Amy Berry was also approved as the world languages department head.

The board also accepted the resignations of three employees.

GMS Assistant Principal Bryan Emmert stepped down to take a principal's position in Rochester. GHS biology and anatomy teacher William Royalty will depart to take a position in his hometown of Corydon. Anthony Lehman is also stepping down as a second shift custodian at GHS.

The board made no other decisions at the meeting, but Assistant Superintendent Jeff Hubble informed them of the destruction of records from the Miller Education Center.

With the former school and administrative building due to be turned over to developers on Aug. 8, administrative staffers have gone through the old records stored in the building.

With paperwork dating back as far as the 1940s, there are many files that the corporation no longer needs to retain.

No board approval was required, but Hubble felt it was best to let the board know of the matter.

The Greencastle School Board is scheduled for its regular monthly meeting at 7 p.m. Monday, July 21.