Winamac High School has a new principal, along with a new dean of students and football coach. Cody Hook was appointed high school principal during a special Eastern Pulaski School Board meeting Tuesday. He was previously a teacher at Winamac Middle School.
Meanwhile, John Hendryx was hired as varsity football coach, middle/high school dean of students, and PE teacher. He previously coached at Knox High School.
Board Member Rob Zeider encouraged Hook and Hendryx to be change-makers in their new positions. Zeider said that after a year-and-a-half with a lot of turnover, the school needs stability, but it also needs people who will take the school into a position that will serve it better. He noted that during the interview process, community members voiced concern with division within the staff. Zeider abstained from voting on Hook’s appointment due to his participation in the interview process but said he supported both of the high school hires.
Former High School Principal Jeremy Tucker was only in the position for a few months before he resigned in February while he was under investigation for allegations of misconduct. Mike Kelley has been serving as interim principal since then.
In other personnel action Tuesday, the Eastern Pulaski School Board hired Lexi Swartzell as elementary school social worker and accepted the resignations of Elementary Instructional Assistant Karen Gudeman and High School Secretary Jessica Griffin.
