Center Cass School District 66 names new superintendent

Center Cass School District 66 names new superintendent

DOWNERS GROVE, IL . . . April 23, 2012 . . . Center Cass School District 66 has named Tim Arnold as the new Superintendent of the K-8 school district. The Board approved Arnold’s appointment at its April 23^rd special board meeting.  Mr. Arnold will fill the vacancy created by retiring Superintendent Jay Tiede, who has served the district for the past 39 years.

Mr. Arnold, who has been an educator for 22 years, is currently the Superintendent of Elwood CCSD #203 in Elwood, IL. He has served in that position since 2010. Prior to that, Mr. Arnold spent 2 years as an Assistant Principal and 9 years as a Principal in McLean County Unit 5 School District.

“I am looking forward to leading a team that will continue to develop the culture of excellence that already exists in Center Cass #66,” Mr. Arnold said. “Serving the students and working with the high quality staff of Center Cass #66 is a unique and exciting opportunity.”

Mr. Arnold graduated from Illinois State University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Special Education. He also earned his Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership and is currently pursuing a Doctoral Degree in Educational Leadership at ISU. He has led schools to earn both the Illinois Academic Improvement Award and Illinois Academic Excellence Award.  Additionally, Mr. Arnold has advocated for education policy at the State and Federal levels.

Board Member Cathie Killian said. “The Board of Education is very pleased that Mr. Arnold has accepted the position as Superintendent.  We believe that, with Mr. Arnold’s education and experience, he will be able to lead the district to the next level in terms of preparing our students academically for high school and beyond, while maintaining the district’s positive financial standing.”

Mr. Arnold is married and he and his wife have five children. He will assume the position July 1, 2012.

Moving On Toward the End..

What a busy week we had this week interviewing prospective teachers for the coming school year. We met many wonderfully talented and promising professionals! Today, due to illnesses of drivers, I get to return to one of my favorite jobs, driving a school bus! Too bad it is not a warm sunny day! It will be great regardless of the weather.

Tomorrow, I will be traveling with our Lakeview Wind Ensemble which will be participating in the State of Illinois Junior High Invitational Band Contest at Illinois State University in Normal, Illinois. Good luck to our your musicians and their director, Mr. Tedeschi.

Monday evening the Center Cass Board of Education has called a special board meeting for the purpose of naming a new superintendent effective July 1, 2012. Tuesday morning a press release will be issued to the community introducing the new leader of our school district.

Spring sports are in full swing and hopefully the spring weather will encourage you to come out and enjoy a game or two!

Have a good weekend!

Spring Break is Over!

Classes resume tomorrow after a week off for Spring Break! I hope that everyone had a relaxing and restful week to give them strength for the last few weeks of school. I have had a busy week here working on issues related to contract negotiations, the tentative FY 13 budget and the local tax levy. As I sit here on Sunday afternoon I am anxious to hear the familiar voices of teachers and students fill the air! I hope to get home to enjoy the NCCA Woman’s final four games tonight as a long season comes to an end. Will Baylor finish first as predicted or will U CONN, Notre Dame or Stanford step up and create a surprising finish on Tuesday night?

The school and grounds look wonderful due the hard work of our custodial and maintenance crew who have labored all week to renew and clean the buildings and grounds for the end of the school year. They have done a GREAT job! See you in school this week!