Dist. 204's Daeschner appears set to leave

School officials in southern Indiana will meet behind closed doors Monday morning perhaps to consider the hiring of Stephen Daeschner, in the middle of his three-year contract as superintendent of Indian Prairie Unit District 204.

The Greater Clark County Schools board has scheduled an executive session for 9 a.m. that day to "receive information about and interview prospective employees."

Daeschner won't say whether he will be at that meeting, while several Greater Clark board members have not returned repeated calls or e-mails seeking comment since April 30.

But the local media there seem to think Daeschner's a shoo-in for the job.

"I would say he has to be considered the front-runner based on the statement Daeschner has made that some Greater Clark board members have been in contact with him about the job for two years," said Shea Van Hoy, editor of The Evening News in Jeffersonville, Ind. "The search committee knows he makes more than twice as much money in Illinois, knows he's at a larger school corporation, but still pursued Daeschner, which tells me they are serious about him as a candidate."

Van Hoy has overseen coverage of the Greater Clark district for more than three years.

During that time, he said, the district has had two superintendents as well as the current interim superintendent.

According to the district's Web site, Greater Clark County Schools, located on the Ohio River, is the largest district in Clark County, operating 21 schools with about 11,000 students.

Van Hoy said Greater Clark's search for a new superintendent has been lengthy; former Superintendent Tony Bennett left in November after he was elected Indiana's superintendent of public instruction. Bennett was in his position for only 16 months.

"Details about the process have been limited to a reporter here being told the number of applicants, after the school board initially declined to reveal that figure," Van Hoy said. "The only name we've heard officially is Stephen Daeschner's, and that's because he chose to reveal his interest."

Van Hoy said the lack of information has caused some people in the community to conclude the hiring process will be done largely in private, which is legal and within the board's discretion.

Van Hoy said he also believes many influential people in the community feel Daeschner is the right person for the job based on his qualifications and experience.

The Evening News reported Wednesday on Daeschner's previous relationship with Robbie Valentine, school board vice president at Greater Clark, and also head of the superintendent search committee.

The paper reported that Daeschner supported Valentine's nonprofit organization - which runs the Stars Club Education Program, basketball camps and more - while Daeschner was superintendent at nearby Jefferson County Public Schools through 2006.

Valentine's Web site, robbievalentine.com, says in 1996 he was presented a Golden Apple Award by Daeschner for his appreciation of Valentine's dedicated service to Jefferson County schools.

Daeschner confirmed Thursday the Jefferson County district backed the program.

"Jefferson County Public Schools did support the program, and they had lots of positive data about its results for middle school students," he said. "It was one of the better after-school programs JCPS ran."

As for his relationship with Valentine, however, Daeschner said it's based on professional respect.

"I have never socialized with Mr. Valentine but have the highest regard for what he does for students," Daeschner said. "We know each other and have spoken several times over the last few years."

Van Hoy said most of the complaints about the process so far stem from the feeling that taxpayers are going to be left out of the process because of that relationship.

"The flip side of this is the argument that if the search committee or board believe they have found the perfect person," Van Hoy asked, "why put candidates and the public through the appearance of an open competition?"