Dist. 204 board has mixed reaction to Daeschner's application

When Indian Prairie Superintendent Stephen Daeschner rationalized his reason for applying for a similar job in southern Indiana Monday, he described it as a special opportunity to work with at-risk students.

Tuesday some of his board members, including newly selected President Curt Bradshaw, felt a little differently.

Daeschner confirmed Monday that he has applied for the vacant superintendent position in southern Indiana's Greater Clark County School System.

In his second year of a three-year contract that expires in July 2010, Daeschner said he decided to apply for the position two weeks ago.

Board members said they heard from Daeschner via e-mail or telephone On Thursday and Friday that he would be applying for the position.

Board member Mark Metzger said he was disinclined to talk about Daeschner's status, calling it a personnel issue.

"If someone has a genuine interest somewhere else, it's difficult to persuade them to do anything else," Metzger said.

Clark County's Web site states the district would like to name their new superintendent by June. If Daeschner were to take the job he would leave District 204 with no superintendent just weeks before classes start.

"That's not ideal timing. Certainly the ideal scenario is for him to serve the three-year contract that we have," Bradshaw said. "But we have a very capable deputy superintendent and staff and I'm confident that if Dr. Daeschner leaves the district we'll continue to provide our families with the strongest education."

Newly elected board member Dawn DeSart called the news of Daeschner's application "sad," saying he still "has some good work to do here."

Sadness, she said, would turn to disappointment should Daeschner take the new post this spring.

"I hope he doesn't do that because that would be irresponsible to leave us high and dry. He's got to give us time," DeSart said. "We've got a lot going on with contracts still out and new schools opening in the fall. I'll say it again. It would very irresponsible."

Daeschner said he believes he would be leaving the district in confident hands should he be offered and accept the position.

"First of all, this is a great board and a good administration. Regardless of any decision I make, I think what we started will continue," he said Monday. "There's some great administrators here in the interim until (board members) decide what they want to do."

Another newly elected board member Susan Rasmus, said she understands Daeschner's decision.

"I think he sees it as an opportunity where he can really make a huge impact for so many kids," she said. "That's one thing I've learned about Dr. Daeschner very quickly. He really is driven by making sure the kids get the best education they can."

According to the district's Web site, Greater Clark County Schools is the largest of three school districts in Clark County, located on the Ohio River in southern Indiana. It is the 19th-largest school corporation in the state, operating 20 buildings with a student population of roughly 11,000. Daeschner said each of the 20 schools receives Title 1 funds.

Indian Prairie, which covers portions of Naperville, Aurora, Bolingbrook and Plainfield, serves roughly 28,000 students in 32 schools.