Jeff Butts, Superintendent, Metropolitan School District of Wayne Township, Indianapolis, Ind. and Rocky Killion, Superintendent, West Lafayette Community Schools, West Lafayette, Ind.

Indiana: Leaders Matter

Nominated By: John T. Coopman, Executive Director, Indiana Association of Public School Superintendents

Jeff Butts, Superintendent, Metropolitan School District of Wayne Township, Indianapolis, Indiana
http://district.wayne.k12.in.us/

The commitment by Jeff Butts to his school district, community, students and staff is simply amazing. He works hard to make sure his staff feels valued and in turn seeing the students as the valued customers they are. He “sells” Wayne as the place to be as employees and as students. He demands great programs to serve the needs of all students and he fights for them when he feels his district is being disparaged in any manner. He is extremely well respected in all communities and by all business leaders, legislators, and educators.

Exemplars of Leadership:
• Maintains high expectations for performance.
• Engages community and business leaders in sustain district performance.

Rocky Killion, Superintendent, West Lafayette Community Schools, West Lafayette, Indiana
http://www.wl.k12.in.us/

Rocky Killion (http://www.wl.k12.in.us/info/supt-message) is a champion and advocate for public education. He produced a widely distributed video touting the decline in funding and support for public schools. He and his neighboring superintendents along with board members often publish letters to the editor about the plight of public schools and the legislator’s efforts to derail public schools. He is a former Indiana Superintendent of the Year and well respected in the state and community. He is dedicated leader looking out for the best interests of all public school children. He has researched Finland’s educational system and sought it replicated as an example of a country’s efforts to have equal educational opportunities for all children.

Exemplars of Leadership:
• Advocates for public education including adequate funding.
• Applies research-based design to school improvement.
To learn more about the superintendents profiled in AASA’s Leaders Matter campaign, visit aasacentral.org/leadersmatter. To join the conversation via Twitter, please access #LeadersMatter.