SYRACUSE — At a special meeting Tuesday, July 16, the Wawasee Community School Corp. board approved the hiring of John Snyder to serve as an assistant principal at Wawasee High School. His two-year contract begins today, Wednesday, July 17.

Members of the Wawasee Community School Corporation school board listen to a presentation by Dr. Tom Edington, the corporation’s superintendent, at a special meeting Tuesday, July 16. (Photo by Ray Balogh)

Snyder, recommended by Dr. Tom Edington, the corporation’s superintendent, will specifically serve as assistant principal of instruction, curriculum and assessment.

John Snyder, center, was hired as assistant principal of instruction, curriculum and assessment for Wawasee High School at a special meeting of the school board Tuesday, July 16. Also pictured are Dr. Tom Edington, the corporation’s superintendent, and Geoff Walmer, high school principal. (Photo by Ray Balogh)

“I am just thankful for this opportunity,” he told the board. “When I was at Whitko, I saw some things Wawasee is doing on the forefront (of education) and I am excited to be here as a part of it.”

The special meeting was called to accelerate the hiring and allow Whitko time to replace Snyder before the beginning of the new academic year.

Snyder was acquired from Whitko Community Schools, where he had served as high school principal since February 2016. Prior to that, he worked for 16 years at Warsaw Community Schools in various positions, including substitute teacher, assistant boys basketball coach, head girls basketball coach, social studies teacher and assistant principal.

From 1995 to 1999 he was employed by Whitley County Consolidated Schools as assistant boys basketball coach, director of transportation and substitute teacher.

He is a graduate of DePauw University, where he earned a bachelor of arts degree, and received a masters of education and completed a principal licensure program at Indiana Wesleyan University.

He has received several professional honors and his work has been feted in The Washington Post and U.S. News and World Report.

Two other items were tended to in the 20-minute meeting.

The board approved the purchase of a new box van for the building trades department of the school corporation. The program is “building a spec home near the high school,” said James Flecker, personnel director, “and will use the new truck to carry equipment and tools.” The GMC Rockport service van replaces the corporation’s present 14-year-old vehicle.

The cost of the van was $42,700, $33,700 for the chassis and $16,200 for the customized service body. Flecker said the corporation negotiated a $7,200 discount off the original price.

“We looked at five different vehicles,” said Flecker. “We maintain the vehicles in-house.”

The purchase agreement stated the new vehicle has 25 miles on the odometer.

The board also approved an Aug. 10 overnight trip to the Indiana State Fairgrounds for eight high school cheerleaders to compete in the Indiana State Fair cheer competition.

The approval was requested by teacher Chelsea Coy, who will be among the three chaperones making the trip.

The board meets at 5:30 p.m. the second Tuesday of each month in the Warrior Room of the high school and will next meet Tuesday, Aug. 13.

For more information, call the corporation’s central office at (574) 457-3188.