White resigns seat on Greencastle School Board

The Greencastle School Board will look different beginning the middle of this month as board president Mike White has tendered his resignation. 

The resignation becomes effective June 15 and will bring about the end of a 13-year run by White on school board. 

"I was approached by a board member years ago about applying for the board. I had young kids in the district and thought I would like to be involved. It was a great way of being involved in the community without having to be political," White told The Putnam County Post of his time on the board. 

During his tenure on the school board, White had helped bring about several major changes and positives across the district. 

"I'm most proud of being a part of increasing staff compensation to a competitive level and being a little closer to the true value of educators," White said. 

When it comes to change, White said the current administration is focused on curriculum development and constantly looking to improve achievement levels. In addition, he added the corporation has begun the "long process of modernizing the physical facilities to address current and future needs." 

White's resignation comes at a time when the board and leadership has come under scrutiny recently from parents, who have voiced concerns over leadership and culture within the district at both the school board meeting and the Greencastle City Council meeting last month. 

White said his decision had nothing to do with recent developments, admitting scrutiny is a "constant in a school system." 

"The current situation had absolutely no part in my resignation," White said. 

His departure leaves an opening on the board and White has a message for anyone who may be interested in serving on the board. 

"Don't bring an agenda with you. Learn and always remember that the board's role is governance. The board's role is to oversee finance and to set policy, not become involved in day to day running of the school corporation.  Hire a good superintendent, then let him do his job," White acknowledged.