New Normal Superintendent Ready for Challenge

The Charleston School Superintendent is heading to Normal, where he'll try and repair another district.  Just a month ago, former teacher in the Normal School District was accused of sexual assault.  That man, Jon White, also faces similar charges in Champaign County.  He taught second grade at Thomas Paine. The charges have left questions about hiring practices in both districts.

Dr. Gary Niehaus is the man who will try and tackle the issue when he arrives in Normal in July.  He's currently the superintendent at the Charleston School District..

Niehaus' office walls in Charleston are covered with pictures. He says the all won't fit in his office in Normal, because it will be smaller.  But he's got a bigger problem, an issue he'll have to dive into right when he arrives.

"I think that's what we're about, trying to solve problems and trying to make problems not necessarily go away--but problem solve so they don't happen again."
 
 Niehaus wants to learn more about the hiring practices in Normal, and he hopes to do so after an independent evaluation is conducted. "Lets see what the report says...make sure it's on target and if it is on target, and if we think it is on target, let's make the changes they're asking us to make," says Niehaus.

Niehaus says the most important thing is to make sure the kids are safe at school.

He says he knew about the Jon White case when he decided to take the job in Normal, and is prepared to be a problem-solver.

As for the Charleston School District, it now has two vacancies at the administrative level. The assistant superintendent, Darryl Taylor is also leaving. He'll be taking a job as Superintendent in Calumet City.  The school board will discuss replacement options at a meeting on Wednesday.