Eastern Pulaski Community School Board members said goodbye to some employees and filled a few open staff positions when they met in a special session last Thursday.
Superintendent Dan Foster explained that the open assistant principal position at the high school was filled with Dr. Eugene Sweeney from the Granger area.
Foster said, “He comes with a nearly 40-year distinguished career as an educator and an administrator so we’re thrilled to have him here.” He added that Sweeney previously served as an interim principal for Whitco Schools, where he assisted the students and faculty through a consolidation.
The board members provided approval for a few other positions as well. Stephanie Smith was hired on as an elementary school teacher. Foster said that Smith has students who attend Winamac schools and she has worked for the corporation in the past in both a professional and volunteer capacity.
He explained, “She’s been a volunteer as well as a paid coach and has helped with various activities over the last several years, from helping with drama and make-up and hair and costumes to coaching girls softball to all kinds of things.”
In addition to those hires, Jona Ewasiuk was approved for an elementary school instructional assistant position and Amy McBride was hired on as a half-time elementary school teacher where she will fill two instructional assistant positions.
Board members also approved a retirement request from Kindergarten teacher Randi Hickman who taught at Eastern Pulaski Community Schools for 36 years. Foster said that he and the board members expressed gratitude for her years of dedicated service.
Additionally, JoAnn Hero resigned from her position as an instructional assistant and will be staying on as a bus driver. Board members also approved the resignation of Transportation staff member Karen Gourley and Elementary Food Service staff members Mary Katen and Nancy Schambers.
