Dr. Sweeney has a nearly 40-year career in education serving in multiple administrative roles as well as a consultant for Solution Tree. His knowledge and expertise will not only assist the high school but the corporation as a whole, reported Superintendent Dan Foster.

In his application letter, Sweeney told the EPCS board that "the improvement of learning at all levels has been my career focus."

His experience includes serving as administrative assistant for personnel, assistant principal, associate principal for instruction, principal, assistant superintendent for learning services, and superintendent in diverse communities throughout the Midwest. He has also served as a classroom teacher, instructional leader, and adjunct professor at the University of Notre Dame.

He received his bachelor's degree in communications and teaching from Benedictine University. He later earned a master's degree in school administration and a doctorate in educational leadership and policy studies, both from Loyola University.

Most recently, he was principal at Whitko Middle School in Larwill. This assignment followed a posting as interim assistant to the superintendent in the Baugo Community Schools in Elkhart. Other area schools were he has served as administrator include Michigan City Area Schools, John Adams High School in South Bend, Brandywine Community Schools in Niles, Mich., Penn High School in Mishawaka, and several schools in Illinois.

For 10 years, he worked as a consultant in school districts across the U.S. and Canada. While rewarding, he reports he came to realize that he is better suited to working in a single school district assisting with long-term improvement.

Additional Personnel Items

The board also addressed additional personnel matters:

• Kindergarten teacher Randi Hickman submitted her resignation for the purposes of retirement. Mrs. Hickman has taught at EPCSC for 36 years. She was thanked for her service and wished well in her retirement.
• Instructional assistant JoAnn Hero, food service employees Mary Kasten and Nancy Schambers, and bus driver Karen Gourley submitted resignations from their respective positions.
• Stephanie Smith was recommended for an elementary teaching position. Mrs. Smith just completed her 23rd year as a teacher in the Culver Community Schools, but has strong allegiance to the Warrior family. Mrs. Smith has served in a variety of volunteer and paid roles for EPCSC such as coaching multiple sports and assisting with plays and musicals. Foster said the school is glad to "finally have her on board fulltime."
• Amy McBride was recommended for a halftime teaching position at the elementary. This position will take the place of two instructional assistant positions. Mrs. McBride is completing her licensing requirements at this time.
• Food service personnel: Alyssa Cornwell, Kelly O’Neil, Lacie Rans, Krsita Klempner, Kelly Kilgore, Violet Johnson, Debi VanDerAa, Marcia Link and Artheia Llyod were all interviewed and recommended for employment by food service director Lenora Hoover.

The board voted to approve all personnel items as submitted.

Foster also proposed an updated salary schedule for food service personnel. A few years ago the custodial/maintenance and instructional assistant pay scales were adjusted; however, the food service pay scale was not completed at that time. The board voted its approval.