In a special meeting the Argos School Board introduced Michele Riise as the new superintendent for Argos Community Schools Monday night. Riise will make the move from the Plymouth Community School Corporation where she has served as the Director of Quality Programs since 2012 to the Argos Schools on January 1st of 2015. She replaces interim Superintendent Russ Mikel.
Brett Sanders, Vice President of the school board said they interviewed five candidates and three were given second interviews. That second interview included a project requiring the candidate to bring back to them a couple of goals or strategies from information they were presented from the strategic planning session pointing which pointed out the strengths, opportunities and threats in the Argos School Corporation. He said Riise was first to respond with a 25 slide PowerPoint presentation. Sanders said, “she demonstrated someone who really wants to be here and do the best.” He also commented that her presentation was a “good spring board to keep moving our school forward.”
Riise was the principal of Washington Elementary School in Plymouth from May, 2004 until 2012 and then moved to the Central Office as Director of Quality. Her current responsibilities included administering grants for special education, Title I, ESL (English as a Second Language), Title III, High Ability and the Migrant Program. Additionally, she coordinated the curriculum for kindergarten through fourth grade.
Riise shared her appreciation for her time at PCSC saying, “I want to thank the Plymouth Community School Corporation for the past 11 years. The staff, administration, parents, community and school board have been very supportive and encouraging throughout my time at Washington and central office, and I am very grateful.” “Mr. Daniel Tyree has been a great role model and leader for me, and I do appreciate his generosity and understanding as I pursued the superintendent position at Argos Community Schools. Even today, he continues to be my biggest supporter.” she said.
Tyree, superintendent of PCSS said, “Argos has hired an excellent person in Michele Riise to be their next superintendent. I have found Michele to be organized, fair, and competent in educational leadership” He added, “She has a solid background in education, finance, and the various state and federal programs. I wish her well in her new position.”
Riise shared her thoughts as she embarks on her new position. She said, “I am thrilled to embark on this new journey and am excited to lead such an outstanding school corporation that is dictated to excellence in and out of the classroom, as well as their commitment to ensuring all students reach higher levels of achievement so that one day they are able to be leaders in the community.”
She also shared her vision for the future of the Argos Schools. She said, “I want to thank the Argos Community School Board for their gratitude and commitment as they selected a new leader for their schools. I am very delighted to work along with them as we face the financial and educational challenges before us.”
Riise made it clear that educating the students of the district will take all of the community partners. She said, “Along with the Argos School Board, staff, parents, and community, I will continually assure that our student’s welfare and success will be our top priority in all our decisions.”
Background:
Riise earned an Eds in 2002 in Educational Leadership from Purdue University. She obtained a Master’s Degree in 1997 in Education and a Bachelor’s Degree in 1984 in Elementary Education with a Kindergarten Endorsement, both from Purdue University.
In December, 2011 she completed the requirements as Director of Exceptional Learners.
Prior to coming to Plymouth, Riise was an assistant principal from 1997-2000 and principal from 2001-2004 as Eastern Pulaski Elementary School. She also served as the Title I Director throughout her time there.
Carol Anders Correspondent
