Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Personnel Hiring topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
North Newton board hires transportation director/CTE instructor and assistant principal, approves teacher contracts
Summary
At its May 6 meeting, the North Newton School Corp. board approved the hiring of Marian Tolley as transportation director and diesel-technology CTE instructor and confirmed Bob Gonzi as assistant principal, along with several teacher hires and internal promotions.
The North Newton School Corp. board voted May 6 to expand district leadership and career-technical offerings by hiring a transportation director who will also teach a diesel-technology CTE pathway, and to fill an assistant-principal post at the junior–senior high.
Marian Tolley was approved as transportation director and diesel-technology instructor effective June 1. The board discussed a split-funding arrangement: part of Tolley’s compensation will be paid from CTE funds tied to the diesel-technology program and part from transportation/operations funds. Administrators said the hire will allow the district to offer a new CTE pathway (diesel mechanics and CDL-related training) and to service school buses in-house. Board members praised Tolley as a local hire and emphasized the program’s potential to hold students in-district and provide workforce pathways.
The board also approved Bob Gonzi (contract effective July 1) as assistant junior-high principal. Administrators described Gonzi’s 30-plus years of district service and noted he is completing administrative certification this summer. The board recorded an abstention by one member on the vote; the motion passed.
In the same meeting the board approved two elementary teacher contracts—Tori Goldberg (salary listed in the personnel packet) and another candidate to be assigned across Lincoln and Lake Village as staffing needs require—and promoted Becky Cruz to head custodian at the high school. The board accepted several retirements and resignations and approved a volunteer tennis coach.
Why it matters: The transportation director/CTE hire is intended to broaden the district’s Career and Technical Education (CTE) offerings and provide local opportunities for students to earn job-ready skills and certifications. The assistant-principal hire fills a leadership vacancy ahead of next school year.
What’s next: Administrators will finalize start-date logistics, implement the CTE course pathway for the upcoming academic year and complete onboarding; the board asked staff to ensure employment contracts and funding splits are formalized.
Quotes and attributions: The hires and promotions were discussed and moved by board members during the personnel portion of the meeting; board members repeatedly described the CTE hire as a “win” for students and local hiring. Specific attributions and votes are recorded in the board’s personnel actions for May 6.
