Perry Township Colleges Superintendent Patrick Mapes to retire in 2023

Perry Township Colleges Superintendent Patrick Mapes introduced plans to retire in June after main the southside college district for six years. 

The announcement early Tuesday got here a day after the college board adopted his suggestion to finish elementary college alternative in a controversial vote that spurred guardian opposition. 

Mapes led the district because it efficiently handed a $154 million working referendum in Could 2022 to assist fund lecturers and STEM programming and enhance bus driver salaries.

“I’ve nice delight within the work we now have been in a position to accomplish as a crew. I’m grateful for the hardworking workers who’ve made the nice successes of Perry Township Colleges attainable,” Mapes stated in a press release. “I’m additionally grateful for the group for prioritizing schooling and supporting the district.”

Mapes, who accepted the place in July 2016, oversaw the district because it accomplished $153 million in development initiatives, elevated base salaries for lecturers and secured over $32 million in trainer incentives, in response to a district press launch. The district additionally launched its personal  police power throughout his tenure.

Mapes’ compensation was $294,145 for 2021, in response to state data. 

The district will start its seek for a brand new superintendent on Dec. 21. Hiring a superintendent is likely one of the prime jobs of the college board, and three new members will be a part of the Perry board in January because it  oversees that course of.

The district stated it prefers a candidate with superintendent or central workplace management expertise, in addition to at the least three years of profitable public college educating expertise, in response to an announcement the district posted on-line concerning the search. 

“Perry Township Colleges is in nice form and prepared for a brand new chief to return in and proceed the work of serving college students,” Mapes stated within the assertion. 

Perry Township is dwelling to a substantial inhabitants of individuals from Myanmar — the nation previously generally known as Burma — with a scholar demographic that’s 30% Asian and 17% Hispanic, in response to 2021-22 state statistics. Roughly 29% are English language learners, and 75% qualify totally free or reduced-price lunch. 

Amelia Pak-Harvey covers Indianapolis and Marion County faculties for Chalkbeat Indiana. Contact Amelia at apak-harvey@chalkbeat.org.