MCCSC searches for new leader

Monroe County Community School Corporation superintendent John Coopman’s announcement that he will retire at the end of December ended a three-year contract a year and a half early.

MCCSC board president Jeannine Butler said although Coopman’s contract was for three years, the board assumed he could have been around for as long as seven or eight years.

Coopman, who announced his retirement Nov. 9, said issues in his personal and professional life led to his sudden retirement.

“My wife has been diagnosed with ovarian cancer, which has turned my life upside down and causing me to reconsider my priorities in life,” Coopman said in an e-mail.

He also said the financial difficulties the district has faced impacted his decision.
Coopman has been a superintendent for 22 years, a school administrator for 10 years and a teacher for six.

Because Coopman’s announcement was so sudden, the board has had to act quickly to fill his position.

“What we have to do is identify an interim superintendent in order to fill that space until we find a permanent superintendent,” Butler said.

Butler said the superintendent’s duties include following all policies, managing finances, dealing with contracts and handling personnel issues.

One idea the board is considering is to find an individual to fill the spot until the replacement is found.

“Usually what you look for is a retired superintendent who has the licensing and can fill the shoes,” Butler said.

The other option is to find two or three people from within MCCSC to lead the district through the next few months cooperatively, she said.

As far as finding a long-term solution, Butler said Ronald Barnes, IU education professor emeritus, has volunteered to help with the search.

But Butler said the board is confident it will find a suitable person to fill the superintendent’s position.

“Bloomington, and thus Monroe County, is an attraction for people to come live,” she said. “We have a good school system, the principals are strong, the teachers are strong, it’s a very supportive community.”

That’s not to say Coopman’s successor will not face challenges.

“We have a Republican-controlled (State) Senate, a Republican-controlled (State) House and a Republican governor who has a very steadfast agenda for education,” he said.

Though the district’s financial situation is better than many schools in the state, Coopman said whoever is appointed will have to deal with any changes made in upcoming state legislative sessions.

“I think we’ll get some good candidates,” Butler said. “Hopefully we’ll make a good choice.”