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Munster board hires Dr. Matthew Hicks as superintendent after questions on disclosure
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Summary
The School Town of Munster Board of School Trustees voted unanimously to approve a contract hiring Dr. Matthew Hicks as superintendent. A public commenter criticized the board’s communication about the hire; the board said confidentiality and a newly effective state process limited what could be shared prior to contract approval.
The School Town of Munster Board of School Trustees voted 5-0 to approve a contract hiring Dr. Matthew Hicks as superintendent.
Board member Castro moved to approve the contract; Bartel seconded. The motion carried on a unanimous voice vote.
The approval followed a public comment in which a resident, identified in the meeting as Mrs. Nowacek, said she and others learned of Dr. Hicks’ candidacy only by finding news articles online and described the district’s communication as “disappointing” and lacking transparency. “It was disappointing the lack of communication,” she said, adding that parents and teachers were left to Google the candidate.
Kristen Smith, who served as chairperson of the hiring committee, told the board the limited public information before the vote was the result of confidentiality and a new state process. “Most of it was due to confidentiality,” Smith said, and she described steps the board took: hiring a search firm (BWP), reviewing 34 applicants, advancing three finalists, conducting reference checks and preparing a backup interim search in case the board chose not to hire the leading finalist.
Smith said the board unanimously selected Dr. Hicks and posted his contract on July 18 to meet the state rule that took effect July 1. The board also reported that Dr. Hicks would begin next week, “technically, Saturday,” and that the district will provide additional information to stakeholders now that the contract is approved.
Dr. Hicks addressed the meeting after the vote. “It is an absolute honor to be here,” he said, describing himself as a collaborative leader and saying he looks forward to working with teachers, administrators and families.
No motions to reconsider or amendments to the contract were recorded during the meeting.
The board did not provide additional financial details of the contract in the meeting record; funding and salary review were described generally as part of the search firm’s work and the board’s internal negotiations.
