The Washington School Board hired Washington High School Principal Gary Puckett to replace Paul Goss at the central office.

Puckett, who has been with Washington Schools for 19 years, has been the principal at the high school for the last six. He was also an assistant principal for three years.

“I'm looking forward to the new challenges that the administrative assistant to the superintendent of Washington Community Schools brings,” Puckett said. “I view this position as a great opportunity for me to serve more students, administrators, teachers, staff members and the community of Washington.”

Goss is retiring after 34 years at the position. He will continue to serve as the Emergency Management Director for Daviess County.

Puckett said he was proud of the accomplishments he and the staff at WHS have done while being principal.

“WHS teachers and staff have been instrumental in implementing and maintaining many sound educational initiatives for student achievement and success,” Puckett said. “I look forward to still being a part of these important practices but in a different capacity.”

As for a replacement for Puckett, Superintendent Bruce Hatton was approved to post the position immediately. Hatton said after the meeting, he hopes to have a principal interviewed and ready for the board's approval on July 16. The posting will be statewide.

“We will receive applications probably up to the fourth of July,” Hatton said. “Hopefully we will screen and interview candidates as quickly as possible.”

In other personnel news, the board approved the hiring of three new elementary teachers to replace four that retired at the end of the school year. Teachers Quintin Myers, Lacy Showalter and Jennifer Skomp will replace the four.

Hatton said after the meeting that a fourth might be added after children register at the elementary schools and registration numbers require the fourth teacher.

In other business:

CORPORATION IMPROVEMENT

Assistant Superintendent Rebecca Dayton briefed the board on meetings to improve the corporation.

Teachers, administrators, board members met with consultant Steve Benjamin to address systematic change. On June 8, the committee met to redefine the school corporation's mission, vision and goals.

“This process assists us in moving the corporation forward with consensus and coordination among all levels,” Dayton said.