Lewis Cass names Steve Darnell interim superintendent; Garland placed on administrative leave
Apr. 26—Steve Darnell, a retired educator, has been named the interim superintendent of the Lewis Cass School Corporation on Thursday.
Superintendent Tim Garland was placed on administrative leave during a school board meeting Wednesday evening.
The superintendent's office on Thursday declined to comment on Garland's status besides confirming his leave.
Messages left with LCSC board of trustees president Rick Lee were not returned by press time.
Darnell has served as superintendent for Southern Wells Community Schools, East Washington School Corporation and Smith-Green Community schools
Prior to serving as a superintendent, he was a principal, assistant principal and an athletic director with Northern Wells Community Schools.
He also taught at Marion Community Schools before becoming an assistant principal.
Darnell graduated from Ball State in 1982 with a degree in business teacher education. He earned his masters from the university in 1988 for business education and data processing.
In 1997, he earned an all building administrator license from IUPUFW and an EdS in educational leadership and administration from Indiana State University in 2008.
Darnell said that Lewis Cass is a wonderful place and he had always been impressed with the legacy of the Lewis Cass band.
He also said the school contained a great administration and great teachers.
Darnell expected that an email would be sent out to parents soon with more information.
Garland was hired as superintendent in 2015 when the school corporation was known as Southeastern School Corporation.
In 1987, Garland graduated from Lewis Cass after moving to the district in 1984.
With the exception of serving in the U.S. Army National Guard and attending college, Garland has lived in Walton for close to 40 years.
"When I was in school, teachers helped me get through by encouraging me and trying to get me to where I really needed to be," Garland said in 2015 when he was hired as superintendent. "I just wanted to repay that, I want to pay it forward."
