A familiar name in area education circles, Douglas Arnold, has been selected to become the next superintendent of the Maconaquah school system.
The Maconaquah School Board announced Monday it has selected Arnold to replace Debra Jones as superintendent effective July 1.
Jones was named superintendent starting July 1, 2007, after working for 15 years as a principal with the Fort Wayne Community Schools. Last year the Maconaquah School Board decided not to extend her contract and in September accepted Jones’ letter of intent to retire.
Arnold, originally from Kokomo, graduated from Haworth High School. He started his teaching career at Haworth High School in 1976 and was principal of Lafayette Park Middle School before accepting the position at Kokomo High School in 2008. Arnold also was director of elementary education for the Kokomo-Center Schools.
He served as an assistant principal, principal and superintendent of the Rossford Exempted Village School District in Ohio from 1998 to 2001.
“It is a new challenge in Indiana,” Arnold said Monday of his new position. “As an administrator you always keep your options open.
“Things came together,” he said. “I know the Maconaquah schools and heard good things about them.”
Arnold said he has had good experiences in smaller communities and likes Maconaquah.
“There are positives in many areas,” he said. “They have made adequate yearly progress, have all-day kindergarten and have alternatives for students. There is always room for growth.”
The Maconaquah School Board has scheduled a public “Meet and Greet” with Arnold on Wednesday starting at 7 p.m. at the high school auditorium.
In making the announcement the school board said Arnold’s special attributes include excellent communication skills, technology expertise and hands-on leadership, along with a strong background in curriculum.
The board said Arnold’s interest in the school system was the result of special programs including Chinese instruction – and the fact the schools’ test scores are improving and finances are stable. He has an interest in reading and literacy and project-based learning.
Arnold was selected after the Maconaquah School Board worked with the university search team, which includes representatives from Indiana, Purdue, Ball State and Indiana State universities.
• Ken de la Bastide is enterprise editor of the Kokomo Tribune. Contact him at ken.delabastide@kokomotribune.com or 765-454-8580.
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