The superintendent of Clark-Pleasant schools will become Perry Township Schools’ next leader, the southside school district announced Monday.
Clark-Pleasant Superintendent Patrick Spray will replace Pat Mapes, who has led Perry Township schools since 2016. Spray will become superintendent of Perry Township Schools starting July 1, according to a Perry Township Schools news release.
For the last two months, Perry Township Schools conducted a nationwide, search that involved dozens of candidates to replace Mapes. During a special meeting Monday night, the Perry Township School Board voted unanimously to pick Spray.
Spray has been the superintendent of Clark-Pleasant since July 2013. Spray is expected to complete the rest of the current 2022-23 school year in Johnson County before he moves to Marion County.
Spray is excited to hit the ground running in Perry Township, he said in a statement.
“Perry Township Schools has a great reputation as a premier school district and I am honored to have been selected as the next superintendent,” Spray said. “As I have told many of my kindergarten friends when I read to them, the superintendent’s job is to be the ‘helper’ so that the most important people, our teachers, can do their jobs to teach students and help them grow as learners. I am excited to get to know the Perry team and serve this community of learners.”
Spray has 15 years of experience leading schools as superintendent and four additional years as an assistant superintendent. He’s earned a Bachelor of Science in Elementary and Teaching from the University of Indianapolis, and he’s earned a Master of Arts in Elementary and Middle School Administration-Principalship from Butler University. He also holds a doctorate from Indiana State University in School Administration and Supervision, the news release says.
Spray’s educational background, professional experience and leadership are what led the Perry Township board to its final decision. The district is thrilled to welcome him, Perry Township School Board President Emily Hartman said in a statement.
“I am confident that the board is making the right choice and the district will continue to excel with Dr. Spray as superintendent,” Hartman said.
Mapes is expected to continue to work with Perry Township Schools and Spray in order to “ensure a seamless transition.” At Perry Township, Mapes has led several large projects, including the establishment of a school police department, increasing teacher base salaries by nearly $17,000 and the passage of a referendum renewal.
Spray’s departure from Clark-Pleasant schools will likely lead to the district starting a search of its own for a new superintendent. School officials have not formally announced a search yet.
This story may be updated.
