Wray named as top district school superintendent

By BILL RICHMOND

City editor

Phil Wray was recently honored as Indiana Association of Public School Superintendents District VI Superintendent of the Year. Now working as Union Schools Superintendent, Wray received the honor at the Oct. 24 IAPSS District Meeting at Ball State University Alumni Center for his enduring leadership at Randolph Central Schools.

The Superintendent of the Year recipient is nominated from within the district and voted upon by all District VI superintendents.

"I think it was based on my longevity as a superintendent at Randolph Central," Wray said. "That's something that's rather rare these days.

"Any time your peers do something like that, it's really rewarding. And it was a real surprise, to be honest. It was a rewarding experience."

Wray retired last spring from Randolph Central before taking the job as Union Superintendent this summer. He had been with Randolph Central for 35 years, including five years as assistant superintendent and 18 years as superintendent.

"The superintendents in the county have really worked together as a group through the years," he said. "I hear other superintendents from outside the area say they don't have that. We have the cooperation to work together to get things done for students."

Randolph Southern Superintendent Mike Necessary said he wholeheartedly agrees with the award presentation.

"I think it's a well-deserved honor," Necessary said. "Phil was like a mentor to me. He helped me to be ready for a superintendency while I was his principal at Winchester Community High School. He is a person I know I can always depend on when I have a question or need advice. I think it's advantageous that the superintendents in the county all get along together and that all goes to his leadership."

Randolph Eastern Superintendent Cathy Steven, also a longtime friend and co-worker likewise supported Wray's nomination.

"He is well respected by his colleagues for his business, budget acumen, and loved for his sense of humor," Stephen said.

"I had the pleasure of serving as a teacher for him, a principal with him and then as his assistant superintendent from 1994-2001. Phil is a good man and friend. He has taught me a lot, so I am very happy that he is receiving this honor."

All of the approximately 40 District VI IAPSS superintendents were eligible for this award.