Superintendent of Schools - Spencer-Owen … Superintendent Vacancy...Superintendent of Schools for the Spencer Owen Community Schools in America’s Heartland INDIANA All Students

OWENCOUNTY

Announcement ofOpportunity for

Superintendent of Schoolsfor the Spencer Owen Community Schools

in America’s Heartland

INDIANA

All Students Will Learn, Achieve and Succeed.

Owen Valley Middle SchoolOwen Valley Middle School was built in 1981 and serves approximately 430 students. OVMS has one principal, Mr. Aaron LaGrange, and one administrative assistant, Mr. Patrick Ault. They also have one counselor, and 26 certified staff, and 27 non-certified staff serving grades 7-8. Students from the district’s four elementary schools funnel into OVMS. OVMS uses the team concepts with each grade level and promotes professional learning communities. Special needs students comprise 21% of the OVMS population. Services for these students range from self-contained programming to full inclusion

in regular education courses. In addition, the new PLTW Gateway STEM program is supported for all students, and provides a hands-on curriculum involving design and modeling, as well as automation and robotics. OVMS has also recently become the host site to the corporation health clinic, offering free health services and prescriptions to employees on the SOCS insurance plan.

Spencer Elementary SchoolSpencer Elementary School was built in 1950, with additions being added in 1982, and 1991. SES has one principal, Mrs. Laura Penman, and an Administrative Assistant, Mrs. Carrie Ames. There are 36 certified staff and 41 non-certified staff. SES serves approximately 698 students in grades PreK-6, and one Moderate/Severe Classroom. Spencer Elementary School has an Honor Student Council and was the state Spell Bowl Champion in 2008 as

well as the runner-up in 2009. Since 2009, the Spell Bowl team has been in the top 15 of the state - winning in District several times. SES has recently become a host site for the Club Invention and Camp Invention STEM programs.

McCormick’s Creek Elementary SchoolMcCormick’s Creek Elementary, built in 2001, is a K-6 school serving approximately 350 students. There are two classrooms at each grade level. The school also serves students with moderate to severe disabilities in two programs: ACE (Autism Continuum Education) and SUN (Students with Unique Needs). The certified staff

includes one principal, Mrs. Linda Epeards, 19 full time teachers and 3 part time teachers. They are assisted and supported by 33 non-certified staff members. The staff works closely with each other and with parents to provide high quality instruction for each student and appropriate interventions for those students who do not meet academic benchmarks. McCormick’s Creek Elementary is an “A” school.

Gosport Elementary SchoolGosport Elementary School, built in 1972, with the addition of a new gymnasium and several new classrooms in 2000. Gosport Elementary serves approximately 180 K-6 students from the northern end of Owen County. GES has one principal, Mrs. Carol L. Watson,

11 certified and 16 non-certified staff members. Gosport Elementary School has been a C.L.A.S.S. school for the past eight years, and has continued to make great strides in assuring student success at all levels.

The District and School Locations

Owen Valley High SchoolAs the only high school in Owen County, Owen Valley High School was built in 1971. In 2006, it was renovated, receiving a new auxiliary gymnasium, an auditorium, a cafeteria, science labs, computer labs, and many new classrooms. OVHS serves approximately 845 students in grades 9-12. There are 48 certified

employees, 38 non-certified, 2 administrators, and 2 guidance counselors at OVHS. The team is led by Mrs. Rhonda Schafer as principal, Mr. George Jennings as the Assistant Principal, and Mr. Bryan Archer as the Athletic Director. OVHS offers a wide range of academic options, including numerous AP and dual-credit courses with Purdue University, Indiana University, and Ivy Tech State College. Students can test their career choices as a by-product of their senior project, or by participating in the Senior Internship and Interdisciplinary Cooperative Education (I.C.E.) programs. Our career center, Hoosier Hills in Bloomington, provides high-tech options in auto service, design and construction, health and safety services, human services, information technology, and Project Lead the Way. Owen Valley has adopted the academy model of small learning communities. The Freshman Academy bridges the gap between middle school preparation and high school expectations in addition to preparing students to choose their career academy. Our four career academies (life science, engineer and technology, human services, and the arts), align with area business and industry. OVHS has been very successful with their co-curricular competitions in Sea Perch, Rube Godlberg, FFA, FCCLA, and Band. OVHS is also proud to be one of the few high schools in Indiana that is able to offer the Air Force Jr. ROTC program to all of its students. In addition, OVHS implemented the Jobs for American Graduates (JAG) Program in December of 2013. Administration and staff have made significant gains in improving performance on the End of Course exams for Algebra and English 10, attendance rate, and graduation rate over the last three years.

Patricksburg Elementary SchoolPatricksburg Elementary School was built in 1977 with an addition of classrooms in 1991 as well as another addition of classrooms and a new cafeteria in 2000. PES has one principal, Mrs. Brittany Greene. There are 12 certified staff and 18 non-certified staff as well as approximately 175 students in grades K-6. Since 2011, PES ISTEP+ scores in both English/Language Arts and Math

have steadily risen by 8.6%, and PES third graders have been consistently well above the state average in passing the IREAD-3.

The District and School Locations

The School DistrictThe Spencer Owen Community School Corporation’s Central Office is located in Spencer, Indiana. Our school corporation is made up of mostly rural communities and covers all but three townships of Owen County. Owen Valley High School was created in 1971 by consolidating Spencer High School, Gosport High School, and Patricksburg High School. SOCS consists of an area of 340 square miles and has many miles traveled by school buses in very rural areas. There is little cultural diversity, and no rapid growth has occurred in the last several years. Our corporation consists of three elementary schools, one PreK-6, a middle school for grades 7-8, and one high school for grades 9-12. Our school district includes several small towns such as Gosport, Patricksburg, Freedom, Coal City and Spencer.

Seven Board MembersTom AbrellBrian MauderSonia BrinsonRick SmeltzerLarry HightKevin CooperJack White

Corporation Facts• NCA Accredited in 2007• County School Corporation governed by 7 board members• School District of SOCS is 340 square miles• Total building value of SOCS: $97,650,500• Total student count for 2014-2015 enrollment, 2,661 students• 204 certified staff• 203 non-certified staff• 1 Technology Coordinator with 3 Technicians• 1 Superintendent• 1 Curriculum Director• Forest Hills Special Ed Coop• Hoosier Hills Career Center

Important DatesClosing date for application: 10/24/14Review and selection will begin: 10/31/14Recommendation for candidate to School Board: December 2014