The Indiana School Boards Association has announced the appointment of Dr. Smith as its executive director in a release earlier today.
Message from HSE Schools Superintendent Dr. Brian Smith:
It is with mixed emotions that I will be leaving my position as superintendent of Hamilton Southeastern Schools to become the executive director of the Indiana School Boards Association. As often happens with career opportunities, more than one factor influenced the timing of this decision. First, the opening at ISBA is not one that occurs very often. Since 1975, only two people have directed ISBA in that capacity. Having served Indiana education for over 45 years in various capacities and in many different areas of the state, I believe this a rare opportunity to be a voice for Indiana public education on a statewide basis. In addition, recent changes in the state teachers’ retirement fund have prompted many long-time, seasoned educators, to consider retiring early. This combination of circumstances led me to conclude that this was the right time for me to make this career change.
I have been honored to serve HSE. Working with the students, teachers, administrators, school board, support staff, parents, community members, and the Town of Fishers has been an exceptional experience; and I have been privileged to be part of a community where a world-class education is an expectation.
Together, we’ve experienced countless successes. Our successes have come even though we have faced numerous funding challenges. Nevertheless, we have been able to develop effective strategies to allow us to continue to provide an outstanding educational program for all of our students.
Through the HSE 21 Initiative, our engaged educators are learning more about teaching our students critical thinking and problem solving skills using innovative methods and collaborative activities that will prepare them to enter careers and professions and will serve them throughout their lifetimes.
Our long-term educational plan also addresses our ability to sustain academic excellence. We’re expanding building capacity in a district that now educates over 21,000 students each year – a number that rivals many colleges and universities. With the completion of our senior academies and updates to state legislation allowing more autonomy for high performing schools, HSE students will have the capability to easily substitute college classes for high school classes and complete up to two years of college credits prior to graduation.
My hope is to be able to one day reflect on the challenges we have faced and know that they were well managed and educationally transcendent for our students, parents, and community. I am truly honored and privileged to have been able to serve Hamilton Southeastern Schools and become a part of Fishers, Indiana, where my wife and I will continue to live even as I take on a new position
In the meantime, I look forward to opening another school year and will remain with Hamilton
Southeastern Schools through September 1, 2014. During that time, I will be working with the school board to ensure a smooth transition in new leadership for HSE.
Statement from the HSE Schools Board of School Trustees:
The Hamilton Southeastern Board of School Trustees congratulates Dr. Brian Smith on his appointment to become the Executive Director of the Indiana School Boards Association.
We have had a very strong and collaborative working relationship with Dr. Smith as our superintendent and Hamilton Southeastern Schools has experienced many innovative steps in education under his leadership. Although we will miss him serving as our superintendent, we look forward to a continued relationship with Dr. Smith in his new role.
Dr. Smith’s current contract set his planned retirement for June 2015, and because we were aware he had very recently been faced with considering earlier retirement due to the impact of a new change in the teacher retirement system, the Board had been developing a long-range succession planning process.
Given this and because of Dr. Smith’s new opportunity, we will be accelerating our process of looking for a new superintendent. We realize this is an essential responsibility and it is incumbent upon us as a Board to locate the right leader who can keep our remarkable district moving forward.
As we work through the process of finding our next superintendent, we are open to the possibility of hiring an interim superintendent. We recognize that a district our size requires a unique skill set and a level of experience that requires our thoughtful and diligent consideration.
The Board is confident that our outstanding staff at HSE will continue delivering an exemplary education to all students.
John DeLucia
President, Hamilton Southeastern Board of School Trustees
Contact:
John DeLucia
Marianna Richards
Director of School & Community Relations
Hamilton Southeastern Schools
