Mishawaka trustees make superintendent pick official; applications open for board seat

MISHAWAKA — Theodore Stevens is officially on track to become the next superintendent of Mishawaka schools.

In a short, public meeting Thursday, school board members unanimously voted to approve a contract, effective July 1, for Stevens, who currently serves as superintendent of South Central schools in LaPorte County.

The decision brings Stevens back to Mishawaka after four years. The longtime educator worked as a principal of LaSalle Elementary School, as a director of high ability programs and as an assistant superintendent for Mishawaka before becoming South Central's superintendent in 2018.

Mishawaka contract: Here's what trustees are offering the next superintendent

"The primary reason I left was to prove that I was capable of the superintendency in my own skin," Stevens said. "Leaving a good school corporation and a good working relationship with the board is not as easy as it may initially appear, but at this point in my life and in my career, it's about where I feel I can make the largest impact in a positive way, and that's part of the reason I want to come back to School City."

Stevens' wife and four children joined him in Mishawaka for Thursday's school board meeting and, after the vote, presented each trustee with a carton of eggs from their family farm.

"You gave me the ultimate compliment in asking me to return," Stevens told trustees. "I will make it a point not to disappoint you, and I plan to showcase that to our community through my work and actions as your next superintendent."

Stevens will replace outgoing Superintendent Wayne Barker who was voted in as the next superintendent of Northwest Allen County Schools in Fort Wayne on Tuesday. The Mishawaka school board accepted Barker's resignation in a meeting Wednesday.

Barker said leaving Mishawaka after three years wasn't something he had planned, but the move to Northwest Allen County brings him closer to family.

"This has been a really difficult decision for us," Barker said Wednesday. "We truly do love it here. We love the people here. It's been nothing short of amazing for us in every way."

Also this week, the board recognized Amanda Roberts, who is stepping down from her role as board vice president to move out of district for a job opportunity in Indianapolis.

"I'm always going to love this community," Roberts said. "I'm going to miss this a lot. I don't think anything can ever take the place of School City … in my heart and in my thoughts."

Leadership changes: Mishawaka board names superintendent candidate

Roberts was first appointed to her first term on the Mishawaka school board in November 2017 by the Mishawaka common council.

Council President Gregg Hixenbaugh explained on Wednesday the steps to appoint Roberts' replacement.

The council began accepting applications for her board seat on Tuesday and will continue taking applications through noon June 24.

Public interviews of prospective board candidates are expected to take place at 6 p.m. June 27 and June 29 with a goal of naming a new trustee by July 5.

Applications are available in the Mishawaka city clerk's office and on the city's website.

Email South Bend Tribune education reporter Carley Lanich at clanich@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter: @carleylanich.

This article originally appeared on South Bend Tribune: Mishawaka board makes superintendent official; Stevens starts July 1