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Mt. Vernon’s Parker named Superintendent of the Year

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Fortville, Indiana – The Indiana Association of Public School Superintendents (IAPSS) has selected Jack Parker, the superintendent of Mt. Vernon Schools, as the District V 2025 Superintendent of the Year.

He is therefore a candidate for the title of Superintendent of the Year for the entire state.

Following his hiring in January 2019, Parker stated, “I am humbled by this recognition and deeply grateful for the trust of my peers.” Parker became the leader of Mt. Vernon.

District V, which includes the counties of Boone, Hamilton, Hancock, Hendricks, Johnson, Marion, and Shelby, is home to several superintendents, including Parker.

He has guided the district through a period of notable enrollment increase over the past five years or more, involving plans to construct a new primary school and reinstate an intermediate level for fifth and sixth-grade pupils.

IAPSS District V Chair Michael J. Beresford stated, “Dr. Parker’s visionary leadership and strategic approach have been transformative for Mt. Vernon Community School Corporation.”

Beresford continued, “His capacity to manage financial difficulties while cultivating a positive school culture and improving student learning outcomes is genuinely amazing.” “He is exceptionally deserving of this recognition and he embodies the qualities of an outstanding superintendent.”

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Parker began his career as a band instructor and worked his way up to managerial positions in the education field.

He was a middle school administrator at Center Grove Schools and the assistant superintendent of teaching and learning before joining the Mt. Vernon staff.

In addition to being voted District 9 Middle School Principal of the Year in 2009 and 2013, he oversaw the school’s nomination for a National Blue Ribbon award.

Parker worked as the Indiana Principal Leadership Academy’s Associate Director for his first administrative position. He has also served as an adjunct professor at the University of Indianapolis, teaching master’s-level courses in curriculum and school development.

The seasoned administrator is still committed to mentoring other superintendents at other organizations in addition to his work with the school district.

After graduating from the Educators Preparing Inspired Change (EPIC) Superintendent Academy, he now serves as a facilitator for the program and actively mentors other superintendents through the IAPSS Executive Coaching program. In the IAPSS Inspiring Superintendent’s Academy, he also serves as a mentor.

Two other superintendents, Todd Hitchcock of Shelby Eastern Schools and Laura Hammack of Beech Grove City Schools, nominated Parker for his most recent Superintendent of the Year award.

“Jack has accomplished a great deal at Mt. Vernon and is an amazing leader,” stated Hammack.
He has regularly acted as a mentor for prospective superintendents and is highly involved in IAPSS events. She stated, “He is really eager to work with colleagues to help them reach their potential. Parker was helpful in guiding her through a strategic planning process at Mt. Vernon that is currently in place at Beech Grove schools.

Parker was praised by Hitchcock for his accomplishments as a superintendent as well.

“Jack seemed to be ahead of everything. He remarked, “He and his crew are constantly one step ahead of the curve. “As a district going through growing pains, Mt. Vernon seems to be in good hands as they are guided over every roadblock that arises.”

Maria Bond, the director of community relations at Mt. Vernon, described Parker as a servant-based leader who prioritizes people.

“Dr. Parker has encouraged professional growth and collaboration among educators by sending teachers to the Professional Learning Communities at Work conference each year. “Dr. Parker has led gratitude activities to support and cultivate a positive culture, in addition to her focus on staff development,” the press release stated.

“Among these initiatives are the leadership team’s personal specialty coffee deliveries to employees, ice cream socials, picnic-style meal preparation, Olympic-themed team-building exercises, joint staff appreciation event hosting with the Mt. Vernon Education Foundation, and the provision of thank-you cards for administrators to acknowledge their employees.”

Parker has been involved in the community-wide endeavor to create the Hancock County Career Center, which is slated to open in 2026 and will provide student access to technical and career training programs.

Parker claimed that despite his extensive resume of achievements as an administrator, his true calling is teaching. “My goal is to support others in their growth and to grow alongside them,” he declared.

 

 

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