With the recent elevation of Josh Edwards to Superintendent of Southwestern Consolidated Schools, a void was left as Principal of Southwestern Elementary School.

On Wednesday at a special Southwestern school board meeting, Northwood Elementary instructional coach Beth Hoeing was named as Edwards’ replacement as principal of Southwestern Elementary School.

Northwood Elementary School is part of the Franklin school district. Hoeing is a Franklin High School and Franklin College graduate with a master’s degree from Ball State University. She has been with the Franklin school system for 16 years – 12 years as a classroom teacher in grades 1-4 and four years as an instructional coach.

Hoeing and her husband, James, a lieutenant with the Franklin Police Department, have two daughters.

Hoeing’s official start date is July 1. Keith Grant will remain Southwestern Elementary’s interim principal through the end of the school year.

Hoeing was introduced at Wednesday’s school board meeting following her recommendation from a 12-member hiring committee.

“She was the No. 1 choice for the entire committee. She was the top one,” said Edwards Thursday morning. “We knew when she came in … her professionalism and her ability to show a positive personality, and her leadership qualities were strong. We are very excited to have Beth with us.”

There were 19 applicants for the position and 11 were interviewed, according to Edwards.

“It was a really strong candidate pool,” he said.

In other board business Wednesday:

• Approved a one-time $300 stipend for school corporation bus drivers to assist with rising fuel costs.
• Approved the purchase of a new electrical panel for Southwestern Junior/Senior High School from Siemens for $64,720.
• Approved the purchase of a new riding lawnmower not to exceed $17,000.
• Approved Southwestern Elementary School third grade teacher Ashley Fivecoat as IREAD3 Remediation Teacher as well as the school system’s new Title I Coordinator/Corporate Testing Coordinator/Curriculum Director.

The Title I Coordinator was eliminated prior to the 2021-2022 school year, according to Edwards. A pair of first grade teachers were given the responsibilities but it proved too much for them to handle effectively while still maintaining classroom duties.

“To do it right, we have to have someone time-dedicated,” said Edwards. “We gave it a shot but it turned out to be a little bigger than we thought.”

Edwards described Fivecoat as an “outstanding educator” who also serves as a technology coach within the school system.