South superintendent going to W.Lafayette

Southmont is looking for a new superintendent of schools.

Monday night, Dr. Shawn Greiner was hired by the West Lafayette School Corporation to lead that system as superintendent. He was approved in a 6-1 vote by the school board there.

Greiner said this a bittersweet move.

“It has been an honor serving Southmont families and the community over the past nine years,” he told The Paper Tuesday morning. “My own children have cherished their time here at Southmont and I will forever be appreciative of the impact this community has had on us all. I am grateful for an amazing board that has dedicated its time to ensure consistent leadership over the years. It is that commitment that has allowed us to do the many great things with our administrators, teachers and families to ensure quality learning experiences for our students. While my family and I look forward to the transition to this new step forward, we will forever hold dear the relationships and memories we have built here. I am committed to working with the Southmont Board to ensure a smooth transition as the search for a quality superintendent begins.”

Greiner came to Southmont in 2013. His last day will be Jan. 28 and he begins his new job Feb. 1.

South school board president Brad Monts issued the following statement to South families Monday evening when Greiner’s hiring was confirmed.

“This evening Dr. Shawn Greiner was approved as the new superintendent of West Lafayette Community School Corporation. Dr. Greiner has subsequently submitted his resignation to the Board of Trustees, effective January 28, 2022.

“We know that a mid-year change in leadership at our district level isn’t ideal, however Dr. Greiner, the Board of Trustees, and our administrators are committed to a smooth transition as we begin to look for a new superintendent. There will be a public Board of Trustees meeting on Thursday, Dec. 23 at 7:45 a.m. to approve the selection of a search firm to assist the board in the superintendent search, and with the selection of an interim superintendent.

“During the advertising of the position, we will be conducting online surveys to gather community input from staff and stakeholders. Moving forward, we will communicate updates from the superintendent search at our monthly public board meetings, via email, and on our website.

“We thank Dr. Greiner and his family for their dedication to Southmont Schools over the past nine years, and we wish him the best in his future endeavors.”

Greiner takes over at West Lafayette and replaces Rocky Killion who retired last June.

In 2020, Greiner was named the Indiana Association of Public-School Superintendents District IV Superintendent of the Year. Prior to becoming a superintendent, Greiner was a principal at four Indiana schools: Thorpe Creek Elementary and Harrison Parkway Elementary in Fishers (2005-13), Maplewood Elementary in Connersville (2002-05), and

C.R. Richardson Elementary in Richmond (2000-02). He was a teacher for Fayette County Schools in Connersville from 1990-2000.

Greiner earned a Bachelor of Science degree in elementary education from Ball State University in 1989. He also has two Master of Arts degrees from Ball State (elementary education in 1993 and education administration and supervision in 2000). He earned an educational specialist degree in 2010 and a Ph.D. in education administration in 2013, both from Indiana State University.

Greiner and his wife Wakako have four children, Takeshi, Taishi, Tatsuya and Tomoko.