Superintendent leaving District 204 for Indiana

Indian Prairie Unit District 204 Superintendent Stephen Daeschner has consummated his long courtship with the Greater Clark County School District in Jeffersonville, Ind., by accepting its top administrative post.

Officials from both school districts announced the agreement Wednesday morning. Daeschner will remain with District 204 through June 30, one day short of his second work anniversary.

"I've enjoyed working in Indian Prairie, but my passion is with at-risk students," Daeschner, 67, said in a statement released by District 204. "I have the opportunity in the twilight of my career to make a difference in the lives of students who really need assistance."

Board members in the Greater Clark County School System voted 6-1 to hire Daeschner during a special meeting Wednesday morning.

Officials said contract details still were being finalized, but Daeschner will be paid $225,000 a year.

As the Daily Herald reported last week, part of that money will be raised through contributions from the private sector.

The lone opposition came from board member Christina Gilkey, who said her concern is with the contract and not Daeschner. She said it is her understanding the district's share of his salary will be $150,000.

Greater Clark County Schools, located on the Ohio River, is the largest district in Clark County, operating 22 facilities with about 11,000 students.

Of those students, Gilkey said, nearly half receive a free or reduced-price lunch. And six of the 22 schools receive Title 1 funds that provide financial assistance to schools with high numbers or high percentages of poor children to help ensure that all children meet challenging state academic standards.

Indian Prairie board member Alka Tyle is sad to see him go, but said Daeschner is the right guy for the job.

"I think if anyone can bring success to that district, I think he's as good a person as you're going to find," Tyle said. "I think they should be very excited."

Indian Prairie leaders said they will weigh their options in coming weeks to ensure a smooth leadership transition. The district, which serves portions of Naperville, Aurora, Bolingbrook and Plainfield, has a deputy superintendent, Kathryn Birkett.

"District 204 has a highly capable deputy superintendent and administrative staff," school board President Curt Bradshaw said. "And Dr. Daeschner, being here through June 30, gives us the luxury of being able to be thorough and thoughtful as we chart our course for the district's future. Long before Dr. Daeschner is out the door, we will know how we will proceed."

Other Indian Prairie board members, however, are concerned about what effects a superintendent search will have on the district.

Daeschner arrived in District 204 in 2007 after spending 14 years as superintendent in Louisville, Ky. He still has one year remaining on the three-year contract he signed at that time that would have paid him $266,000 for the fiscal year beginning July 1.

"I'm really disappointed because this puts us in the precarious situation of opening two new schools (including Metea Valley High School) without a superintendent," District 204 board member Dawn DeSart said. "This school board needs to get back in the business of educating children and focusing on things that matter. Now we have the huge distraction that comes with searching for a new superintendent."

Tyle also expressed her disappointment Wednesday.

"Obviously I'm disappointed that we are losing (Daeschner) after just two years with a lot of goals and initiatives in the works that were started under him," Tyle said. "Most importantly I think we'll miss his ability to use detailed data to drive his decision making to make the best possible decisions for our students."

Bradshaw said he is confident the foundation of student achievement Daeschner set in his two years here will continue.

"He did a great deal to move this district forward educationally and the systems he put into place will continue into the future," Bradshaw said. "Never in the history of this district has every single teacher and principal been more dedicated to the success of each and every one of our children. And we owe that to Dr. Daeschner."

<div class="infoBox"> <h1>More Coverage</h1> <div class="infoBoxContent"> <div class="infoArea"> <h2>Stories</h2> <ul class="links"> <li><a href="/story/?id=294926">Daeschner timeline</a></li> <li><a href="/story/?id=294925">Past 204 superintendents</a></li> </ul> </div> </div> </div>