Jay Schools chose Little

Twenty-five years ago this week, Jay School Board hired a new superintendent.

The July 16, 1996, edition of The Commercial Review featured coverage of the hiring of Thomas J. Little Jr. as the new superintendent of Jay School Corporation.

The decision came after an extensive search.

“They talk about an exhaustive search, they weren’t kidding,” Little said. “I think they spoke to everyone. I think they even tried to find my grandmother.”

Little, who was the director of elementary and middle school education for Kokomo-Center School Corporation, was approved unanimously. He was selected to replace the retiring George Gilbert.

The county’s rural atmosphere was one of the things that attracted Little and his family to the job, he said after his hiring. “It’s a place that I’d like to call home, and it’s a place that I’d like my children to grow up in,” said the 40-year-old father of three. “The biggest concern for what is best for the children excites me. I will do my very best for you. I will work my hardest for you.

“I’m excited about the opportunity that awaits here at Jay County.”

Little had been an administrator for Kokomo-center for about three years, supervising 11 principals. He had previously served as principal of Smoky Row Elementary School in the Carmel Clay district, Central Elementary School in Pike Township (Indianapolis) and West Central Elementary School in Francesville.

In asking for a motion to hire Little, Jay School Board president Dr. Tom Banta indicated that he was the No. 1 choice for the job.

“He’s going to be a good one,” Banta said.

Little held the position for three years before returning to Kokomo-Center as superintendent.