Pettit was principal at Crown Point High School
Pettit, 44, officially starts Monday. The school board approved his appointment during a three-minute meeting on Monday at Chesterton Middle School.
“We are pleased to welcome Chip Pettit to the Duneland School Corporation family. He has demonstrated a passion for educating kids and making a difference in the classroom, the boardroom and in the community,” School Board President Brandon Kroft said in a statement.
“We have high standards in Duneland and feel we have a superintendent who is committed to exceptional leadership,” Kroft’s statement said. “Chip is a consensus-builder who will take the best Duneland has to offer and bring our school community together to work for common higher goals. We were impressed with his commitment to innovation and his proven record of collaboration to produce positive and tangible results for students.”
Pettit was principal at Crown Point High School for seven years.
His new three-year contract pays $147,500 per year. It also provides for health benefits, life insurance, vacation, time off, a car stipend, cellphone allowance and retirement contributions.
After an annual review, Pettit would be paid a performance bonus between $4,500 and $6,500 each year for a satisfactory or “highly effective” review.
Duneland would contribute $10,000 per year to his retirement account, and $5,000 to the Voluntary Employees Beneficiary Association Plan, akin to a health savings account.
Pettit also would receive a $500 monthly car allowance and a $100 monthly cellphone stipend. Duneland would also pay for him to attend education conferences and cover fees for his membership in professional associations.
Interim Superintendent Judy Malasto said she was grateful for her six-month tenure, which included persuading voters to renew Duneland’s tax referendum last month.
Malasto took over after former Superintendent Ginger Bolinger’s departure last fall.
Pettit said the referendum’s passage partly influenced him to go for the job.
“A community that supports the passage of the referendum is clearly one that places a high value on students and education,” he said in a statement. “I am honored and humbled to accept this role and to work with the nearly 5,900 students, their parents and guardians, the Duneland teachers, staff and community residents for a better Duneland School Corporation and a better Duneland school community.”
The school board liked Pettit’s record at Crown Point with 75% of high school students earning some college credits prior to graduation. One-third earned a full year worth of college, according to the statement.
“In addition, Mr. Pettit’s efforts in community outreach led to the development of a work-based learning and internship program, in which senior students were placed in over 250 local businesses that aligned with college and career interests,” a spokeswoman said.
It also cited a variety of experience including as a teacher with at-risk students, middle school athletic director, Advanced Placement class instructor, dean of students, director of student services.
A standout high school athlete, Pettit later worked as a multisport coach.
Pettit is a Crown Point native. He graduated from Crown Point High School before attending Valparaiso University. He earned a master’s degree from Indiana University Northwest and expects to finish a doctorate in Educational Leadership from Ball State University in late July.
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