Long chosen as leader of Jay Schools (09/26/06)

The search for a new leader for the Jay School Corporation was a Long one.

Dr. Tim Long, a Randolph County resident who has served as the superintendent of schools in Anderson and Parker City (Monroe Central) over the past 15 years, was named as the superintendent of Jay Schools Monday evening.

Long, who currently serves as a consultant to the Anderson Community School board during an ongoing building project, will begin work in November a week before current superintendent Barbara Downing's last day on the job.

Downing's retirement is effective Jan. 2, 2007, but is taking accumulated vacation and personal days beginning Nov. 23.

The four and a half year contract agreed to by Long will pay him $109,000 annually; Downing's current contract is at a salary of $97,000 per year.

"The Jay School Corporation has a rich tradition, and it's going to be an honor to serve here," Long said in remarks to the board after he was hired by a 7-0 vote. "I'm a superintendent, but I've always thought of myself as a teacher."

Board president Bryan Alexander, who headed the committee charged with finding Downing's replacement, said qualities the committee was searching for included high moral/ethical standards, leadership and fiscal responsibility.

"We wanted somebody who ... understood our area and the challenges we face," said Alexander. "We really felt (Long) met all those things we're looking for in a superintendent."

Long, who has bachelor's, master's and doctorate degrees from Ball State University, served as superintendent at Monroe Central from 1992 to 2001.

"These types of positions are really about chemistry," Long said Monday. "In initial discussions with the board and administration ... I felt there was some synergy that was going to lead to some great things. Schools exist for children and the betterment of the community."

Long said he is hopeful he will be seen as a uniter during his tenure with Jay Schools. "I am hopeful that we will be able to focus on a future that will have less to do with what our past rivalries may have been both inside and outside the county and more about how to educate children for global jobs that do not even exist today," Long wrote in prepared remarks.

Long will serve as assistant superintendent during Downing's final week on the job, then as interim superintendent from Nov. 23 until Downing's retirement becomes official.

Alexander said Monday that there were 14 applicants for the position. The field was narrowed to four by the search committee, and three candidates were interviewed. After choosing Long as the finalist, board members and their spouses spent an afternoon with Long and his wife Nancy at the rural Portland home of school board attorney Phil Frantz.

After noting the quality of applicants, Alexander praised Downing for her leadership since taking over the position from predecessor Dr. Tom Little.

Long said that his priorities as superintendent will be:

•To create a culture in which everyone is working for improvement.

•To unify the corporation behind a vision of excellence.

•Improve quality of life for the community.

•Be fiscally responsible.

•Gain the confidence of the public that the school corporation is using resources wisely.[[In-content Ad]]