New Valparaiso Community Schools superintendent committed to ‘We are Valpo’

New Valparaiso Community Schools superintendent committed to ‘We are Valpo’

“I believe in Valpo. I believe ‘We Are Valpo’ is more than a slogan – it is a commitment to the ideals that the kids come first, that we commit ourselves to the greater good, that exposure and opportunity drives our program implementation, and that our successes should bring a humble commitment toward continued improvement.”

This is a statement from the Valparaiso Community School District’s new superintendent, Dr. Jim McCall.

“I am humbled and excited to be named superintendent of VCS. I fully understand the expectations of the board, staff, students, and families, and this is an excellent opportunity to provide the best environment for Valparaiso children to learn and grow,” said McCall.

McCall was chosen from a pool of 16 applicants from 10 different states through careful vetting and a comprehensive search from the School Board of Valparaiso Community Schools (VCS). The board’s ideal candidate was an educational leader who would work actively with the board and community to set and reach goals, be an instructional leader, and be an innovative and creative problem solver. McCall was the right candidate. He was a candidate who had a history of involvement in the Valparaiso Community Schools.

“It is not just a job for me. It is a calling and a responsibility to provide for these kids. There has been a history of excellent leadership going back generations that I am proud to build upon,” said McCall.

McCall has served with VCS in many different roles since 1999.  These roles include working as an administrator, teacher,  principal, and coach. These roles prepared McCall for all the responsibilities and expectations placed on educators, specifically the responsibilities and expectations of a leader in VCS.

Sue Hoffman, President of the VCS School Board, is confident that McCall is the right leader for this role now and for many years to come.

“As we navigated through the process, I was always aware that I wanted a leader who ‘wanted Valparaiso’ – wanted to be here specifically. I did not want us to be a job for the next step in a career climb. I am truly confident that with Dr. McCall’s leadership and guidance, VCS will continue to successfully forge ahead not only right now, but for many years to come. His knowledge of the district at all levels and in all areas will serve both him and us well,” Hoffman said.

McCall is dedicated to putting the students in the Valparaiso schools first. He has grown personally and professionally within what McCall calls the best school system in Indiana. Rob Behrend, a member of the VCS School Board, is confident that Dr. McCall will serve all of the students in the VCS district well.

“Dr. McCall is an intelligent, driven, and prepared leader who is ready to take VCS to unprecedented levels. Dr. McCall will serve the kids of Valparaiso for a long time. The Valparaiso Community will benefit from having Dr. McCall as its Superintendent,” Behrend said.

McCall will take over for Michael Berta, who has led as interim Superintendent since early May. McCall worked closely with Berta, teachers, support personnel, and county health officials to open schools on time with both in-person and remote learning.

“Jim McCall is a skilled and talented educator who understands the culture and organization of the Valparaiso school system.  His leadership, along with his institutional knowledge and experiences in multiple responsibilities, will serve the students, staff, and community well,” Berta said.

McCall will begin his role as superintendent on Monday, September 28.