Delphi hires superintendent, M.S. principal
By Debbie Lowe

Walker

Delphi Community School Corporation Board of Trustees crossed a major hurdle in finding administrators for the upcoming school year at a special Monday night meeting.

Board members hired Ralph Walker as school corporation superi n t e n d e n t , replacing John Williams. Also hired was Bob DeLaRosa as middle school p r i n c i p a l , r e p l a c i n g Joanne Allard.

Walker, who owns homes in Lebanon and on Lake Shafer in White County, was the superintendent of the L e b a n o n

Walker

DeLaRosa

School Corporation for the past eight years. His wife is a preschool teacher in Lebanon and is initiating a three-year pre-school program in that corporation.

"I'm fortunate to be able to join a great school corporation," he said as board members voted unanimously to hire him.

Walker is president of the Indiana Association of Public School Superintendents Sagamore Foundation and was named a Milken Educator in 1995 while principal of Clinton Central Jr./Sr. High School in Michigantown. He was recognized for developing a reading program that increased the percentage of students passing the ISTEP reading test to 93 percent.

DeLaRosa

DeLaRosa was the assistant principal and athletic director at South Newton Middle/High School in Kentland before coming to Delphi. His wife teaches at a middle school in Frankfort and the couple currently resides in Lebanon. He said he may be relocating his family, which includes a new child.

"We're looking for a community to raise our son in," he said.

New board member Nick Cronk expressed concern about the process used in bringing on all new employees during the vote to hire DeLaRosa.

"I have a problem rushing this through," he said noting his comments had nothing to do with DeLaRosa or his qualifications for the position.

Cronk said all vacant corporation positions should be posted, a committee formed and interviews held before someone is hired.

He said not posting positions "sets a bad precedent."

Walker's first day will be Aug. 14 while DeLaRosa intends to begin work this Friday. Other personnel Resignations approved:

+ Joanne Allard - Middle school principal;

+ Toni James - Corporation bus aide; and

+ John Atkinson - Camden student supervisor. Approved for hire:

+ Danielle Dunbar - Hillcrest fourth-grade teacher;

+ Joseph Brown - Camden student supervisor; and

+ Jason Cree - High school volunteer assistant football coach.

The next meeting will be Aug. 14 at 7 p.m. School supplies

School supply lists for Camden and Hillcrest elementary schools are available on the Web site at www.delphi.k12.in.us