Lake Central board names Sarah Castaneda next superintendent

The Lake Central School Corporation Board of Education approved a contract naming Sarah Castaneda as the district's next superintendent during its Feb. 17 meeting. Board members publicly identified Castaneda as their choice and moved immediately to recognize her with remarks and photographs.

Castaneda, who has worked in the district for about 12 years and has more than 25 years in education, thanked the board and district staff and said she was "honored to be able to serve the district in a new way as superintendent." She credited outgoing Superintendent Dr. Varrocco for stabilizing the district during difficult budgetary times and said she intends to "build on that strong foundation" to advance student achievement and staff support.

Board members offered congratulations and noted Castaneda's familiarity with Lake Central programs, referring to her decade-plus service to the corporation as a rationale for the appointment. The board took a motion to approve the superintendent contract and then invited Castaneda and her family to the front of the room for photos and additional brief remarks.

The transcript does not record a roll-call tally for the approval vote; the motion was moved and seconded and the board proceeded with the rest of its business after the appointment.