Dr. David Hoffert presents Dr. Craig Hintz with the Sagamore of the Wabash award.
(Photo by Alyssa Richardson)
Both tears and laughter were shared during last night’s Warsaw Community School Board meeting as WCS staff, administration and community members bid farewell and offered thanks to WCS Superintendent Dr. Craig Hintz, who is retiring from the school system effective Monday, June 30.
Prior to the meeting, a special reception was held, with those from both within and outside of the school corporation, for Hintz. The meeting was followed by a surprise awarding of the Indiana Sagamore of the Wabash Award, which was presented by Dr. David Hoffert, who will serve as the next WCS superintendent effective July 1 (see related).
The award honors those who have made significant contributions to their state and is granted by the current governor of Indiana. Hintz was nominated for the award by his cabinet, the WCS School Board of Trustees and State Representative Rebecca Kubacki’s office, who listed his numerous accomplishments both within and outside of WCS in reference to why he was nominated for the award (see related).
Dr. Craig Hintz (center) is awarded a district award by Dr. David Hoffert (left) and Board President Jennifer Tandy.
(Photo by Alyssa Richardson)
“Thank you for the opportunity to serve,” stated Hintz after receiving the award. ” I believe we are going in the right direction… All of you have enriched my life and helped me to acquire my dreams. I’d like to say happy trails.”
David Hoffert noted the award would not have been possible without the help of Rebecca Kubacki, who was in attendance and shared a few words with the board on her pride of Hintz and his work with the community.
In addition to his award from the state, WCS School Board President Jennifer Tandy also honored Dr. Hintz with a district award in honor of his service with Warsaw School Corporation.
These awards were not the first for Hintz, who was honored in 2013 as the State Superintendent of the Year.
Deb Blatz, director of special services, was honored for her 32 years of service with WCS by Dr. Craig Hintz. Blatz is retiring from the corporation effective June 30.
(Photo by Alyssa Richardson)
Honoring those who served was the trend of the night as several other groups and individuals were also called forth for recognition during the meeting. Deb Blatz, WCS director of special services, was among those honored as she is retiring on June 30 as well. Blatz has served Warsaw Schools since 1982, amassing 32 years of service.
“All 32 years have gone by like that,” stated a tearful Blatz. “I’ve loved every job that I’ve had at Warsaw Community Schools… When I just heard about the Unified Track and Field Team (winning a state championship) I thought, thats Warsaw. Were always up front…were always first.”
Warsaw Community High School’s Unified Track and Field Team presented their State Championship plaque during the WCS Board Meeting.
(Photo by Alyssa Richardson)
In addition to Blatz, the board honored and recognized the WCHS Unified Track and Field Team, which services students with exceptionalities and those without. The team, which is comprised of 16 members, competed against seven teams and qualified to go to the state championships, where they competed against an additional 10 teams to become the Unified Track and Field State Champions.
The last to be honored in the evening were certainly not the least according to Dr. Craig Hintz. Hintz personally awarded each of his board members a personal note and WCS paperweight, thanking each publicly for their service to WCS. In addition, he honored his cabinet for their service with WCS plaques, thanking them for their trust, care, sincerity, competence and reliability.
Dr. Craig Hintz Stands with his cabinent (from left) Nicole Wills, assistant to the superintendent; Dr. David Hoffert, Assistant Superintendent; Brad Hagg, chief technology officer; Dr. Craig Hintz, superintendent; Amy Sively, chief accountability officer; Kevin Scott, chief financial officer; Deb Blatz, director of special services; and Wendy Long, director of communications and language programs.
(Photo by Alyssa Richardson)
Hintz noted his faith and happiness in the board’s selection of Hoffert as the next superintendent at the close of the meeting. “This is a young gentleman I am really, really proud of and I have all of the confidence that I think I can muster that David Hoffert is primed to carry this strategic plan forward. I couldn’t be happier for David, I couldn’t be happier for the board, in fact, I’m of gratitude that you selected David Hoffert to become the next superintendent.”
