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.
Local News
Arnold takes over Maconaquah reins
New superintendent was Kokomo High School principal
- Local News
-
-
Remains may be grandmother of abducted girl
Noblesville police are trying to determine if the remains of a woman found Thursday along the Mississinewa River near Marion are those of missing Noblesville woman Dorothy Heard.
-
Students kick off Black History Month at IU Kokomo
“Hey, black child, be what you can be. Learn what you can learn. Do what you can do. And tomorrow, your nation will be what you want it to be.”
-
Council taking heat for proposal
The Miami County Council on Thursday got to hear from county employees who are disgruntled about proposed budget cuts that would reduce the county general fund by nearly $900,000.
-
County looks at health care options
With the city of Kokomo ending its relationship with Novia Health Care, Howard County officials are now discussing what move they will make.
-
KHS to implement new technology program
Starting next school year, the more than 500 freshmen enrolled at Kokomo High School will receive either a laptop computer or tablet device as part of a new technology program that school officials say will improve learning in the classroom.
-
Measles patient was at NFL event
East Coast fans who left the Super Bowl host city feeling good about Hoosier hospitality may have been exposed to something less welcome: The measles.
-
Outreach provides housing to the down-and-out
Dale Bliss tells the story of a man with no money, no job and two kids.
Without any way to pay for a hotel or rent an apartment, the man was living in a tent with his children at a reservoir near Kokomo. He told them it was a family camping trip.
-
Green tech lab opens in Kokomo
A California green technology company has opened a research and development lab in Kokomo and plans to hire as many as 35 people over the next few years, the business announced this week.
-
Main Street conference coming to Kokomo
Following up on its Indiana Chamber of Commerce’s 2011 Community of the Year award, Kokomo received another accolade this week.
-
Howard Co. jail reconfiguration a ‘short-term solution’
With the ever-increasing number of female prisoners at the Howard County jail, local officials are looking to implement a short-term solution instead of expanding the existing facility.
- More Local News Headlines
-
Remains may be grandmother of abducted girl
Denver's Largest-Ever Drug Bust Nets Dozens
Marines: No Punishment for Nazi-like Flag
Vets Look to Translate Military Skills Into Jobs
Expert: Removing LA School's Staff 'Appropriate'
Raw Video: School Bus Burst Into Flames
LA School Reopens Amid Sex Abuse Scandal
$25B Settlement Reached Over Foreclosure Abuses
Pentagon: Allow Women Closer to Front Lines
Obama Gives Education Waivers to 10 States
Giffords Aide to Run for Her Seat
LA School in Sex Abuse Scandal Reopens
Winter Slamming North Asia, Parts of Europe
Syrian Forces Renew Bombardment of Homs
States, Banks Reach Foreclosure-abuse Settlement
Raw Video: Italy's Mount Etna Bursts Into Life
Greeks March; Angry Despite Debt Deal
Raw Video: U.S. Pullout Celebration
Raw Video: Annual Empire State Building Run-Up
Man Killed in Courthouse Shootout
Air Force Airlines: Leaders Get Polished Service
