December 11, 2011
12/12/11 After several weeks of reviewing resumes’ and interviewing potential candidates for the superintendent position, the Union-North United School Board has narrowed the field down to two candidates. The two candidates being considered are Greg Briles and Mitch Mawhorter.
Board member David Grenert said they received several resumes’ from what he considered excellent candidates. The Board had used the services of the University Placement Team for obtaining applications and recommendations.
The position is currently being filled by Interim Superintendent Julie Lauck. During a meeting on September 22, the Board unanimously approved the appointment of Lauck as Interim Superintendent. She officially began with the corporation on October 3 to coincide with the departure of former Superintendent Dr. Terry Barker. Barker was named as Superintendent of School City of Mishawaka.
Lauck has also been serving as a voucher implementation liaison and private contractor with the Indiana Non-Public Education Association as a liaison between non-public schools and the Indiana Department of Education.
The board was prepared to issue a press release on or near December 9 that included the name of Lauck as one of three candidates for the Union-North superintendent position. However, following the December 9 board meeting, Lauck withdrew her application. Board President Mark Dickson said, “She has decided to return to school to pursue a doctorate degree at Ball State University as well as other interests.”
The Board had initially indicated that they hoped to have a permanent superintendent in place at the beginning of the second semester in January, 2012.
At this point, the Board has not declared a time-table for the new hire.
Lauck has agreed to continue in the position as long as she is needed, according to Dickson.
Gregory (Greg) Briles is currently the Principal of Oregon-Davis Jr. /Sr. High School where has served since 2002. Previous experience includes two years as Assistant Principal at John Glenn High School, Director of Technology for one year, Technology Coordinator for two years, and an Industrial Technology teacher for three years at Knox Community School Corporation. He also taught industrial technology and physical education for one year at North White School Corporation.
Brile’s formal education includes a bachelor’s degree in Industrial Technology Education (1994), master’s degree in secondary administration and supervision (2004), and Education Specialist Degree (2010) , all from Indiana State University.
Mitchell (Mitch) Mawhorter has served as the Principal of Jimtown Jr. High School since 2009. Prior to moving to the Jr. High level, he was the Principal of Jimtown North Elementary for two years, Assistant Principal of Jimtown High School for two years, Assistant Principal of Jimtown Intermediate for two years, and Assistant Principal /math teacher at Jimtown Jr. High School for one year. From 1989-2011, he taught both language arts and math and the junior high level.
Wawhorter has been a junior high basketball coach for eleven years and football coach for three years.
He holds a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education with Coaching Endorsement from Purdue University (1989), a master’s degree in Elementary Education and Elementary and Secondary Administration and Supervision from Indiana University (2002). He received his educational specialist degree in Education from Indiana State University in 2008.
Carol Anders Correspondent