Shelbyville Central Schools will start the 2022-2023 school year with a new superintendent and three new principals in its six buildings.

Superintendent Mary Harper participated in her final school board meeting Wednesday ahead of her retirement. She will be taking a vacation before returning to finish up her last duties serving the Shelbyville school system.

“I’m going to really miss the people and the interactions you have every day,” said Harper after the meeting. “I’m not going to slow down. I’m going go to get more involved in my church. I’m helping out at Echo (Effect) and so I will find other ways to serve this community – just not in this capacity.”

Harper (photo, seated right) quipped at the end of the meeting you will probably see her at the Golden Bear Preschool reading books to children. She is nearing the completion of a three-year run as SCS superintendent following roles as a teacher, high ability coordinator, principal at Hendricks Elementary School and assistant superintendent over her 37-year career.

Harper was presented with a rocking chair at the end of the meeting and a dinner followed in the administration building’s meeting room.

Dr. Matt Vance, who will succeed Harper, was in attendance at Wednesday’s meeting. He was previously the superintendent of Rush County Schools.

“I am super excited about Matt Vance coming in here,” she said. “He is great and he will hit the ground running.”

For more on the hiring of Dr. Matt Vance go to https://shelbycountypost.com/local-news/619107

During the meeting, the resignation of Coulston Elementary School principal Patrick Guilfoy was accepted. He has taken an administrative position in the Franklin Township school system.

“I will be elementary principal at South Creek Elementary School,” said Guilfoy, who was in attendance at Wednesday’s board meeting. “This was determining next steps in my career and opportunities for advancement and seeing what they have to offer as a larger school corporation.”

Guilfoy just finished his third school year as Coulston’s principal.

“The people (at Coulston) make it tough to leave,” he said.

While not addressed in the meeting’s personnel report, the school system’s website is advertising for a new Shelbyville High School principal, meaning Brent Baker will not be returning to that role for a fourth year.

Board president Curt Johnson (photo, standing) did not have a definitive answer whether Baker will remain in the school system.

There are 48 days until the first day for students of the 2022-2023 school year.

“We are in the middle of June and every day counts, so we are in the transition right now,” said Johnson, citing only having a few days notice of Guilfoy’s resignation. “It’s all brand new. At this point, every day matters.”

There also will be another administrative opening at Shelbyville Middle School after assistant principal Rachel Blumke turned in her resignation, which will be official June 21, according to the personnel report.

The middle school already is in transition with principal Ryan Mikus moving into an administrative role with the school corporation and assistant principal Wes Hall becoming the new principal. In addition, SMS athletic director/dean of students Rex Olds is replacing Hall as an assistant principal.

For more on Ryan Mikus leaving SMS go to https://shelbycountypost.com/local-news/635934

Major renovation projects are about to begin at Loper Elementary School, Coulston Elementary and Shelbyville Middle School. All three schools will see improvements in roofing, flooring, painting, acoustical treatments and ceilings, plumbing, electrical and technology.

Bid recommendations were approved Wednesday totaling $7,325,219 for Loper and $12,937,662 for Coulston and SMS.

“It’s go time,” said Johnson. “It’s exciting. It’s great we are able to upgrade these facilities. The bids, by all accounts, came in well under budget – so far, so good.”

The school board also accepted a $10,000 grant from Pilot Company that will be used to expand the robotics program at the elementary schools, middle school and high school. The grant also will help the school system host at least two robotics competitions at the middle school featuring teams from around the state.