The Washington Court House City Schools Board of Education introduced Thomas Bailey as the district’s new superintendent Monday night.
Prior to the regular meeting Monday, board member Jon Creamer introduced Bailey, who was awarded a three-year contract. He’s currently the assistant superintendent of the Three Rivers Local School District in Hamilton County. He has served that school district administratively since 2006 in several capacities, including director of development, principal of CT Young Elementary School, principal of Taylor High School and was even the head principal of the district’s education campus for all students, grades Pre-K to 12.
“Mr. Bailey’s overall experience and his track record as an assistant superintendent, director of development and as a principal, made him a strong candidate from the beginning,” board president Ken Upthegrove said. “We believe he has the expertise to work collaboratively with the board, the staff and community to help establish an exemplary vision and direction for the future.”
Bailey replaces former superintendent Matthew McCorkle, who resigned in February after the board held multiple executive sessions concerning McCorkle’s job status. Board members have refused to comment on the reason for McCorkle’s departure.
On Feb. 27, the board emerged from its approximately 40-minute executive session and board member Jennifer Lynch read a resolution to accept then-superintendent McCorkle’s resignation, effective March 31, and to employ him under a consulting contract for administrative services. A few weeks later, the board accepted the interim contract of Robert Hamm to fill McCorkle’s absence as K12 Business Consulting, Inc. conducted a search to find a permanent replacement.
Bailey started his educational career in 1991 as a band director for Dayton Chaminade-Julienne High School. He served as the band director of the Dayton (Ky.) Independent School District between 1993 and 1996, before serving Cincinnati LaSalle High School in the same role from 1996 to 2000. He then moved on to hold his first administrative position where he served as principal of Cincinnati St. John the Baptist School from 2000 to 2006.
In 1991, Bailey received his bachelor’s degree in music from Northern Kentucky University and went on to receive his master’s degree in educational administration from the University of Dayton in 1996. He received his principal certification from Xavier University and superintendent license from Concordia University in Chicago, Ill. Bailey has also served as an adjunct professor for both Ashland University and the College of Mt. St. Joseph.
“I am here to do one job and that is to educate children,” Bailey said concerning the recent superintendent search. “My number one priority is to get in here, look to see how we are educating those children and see what we can do better to improve academic performance across the district.”
Bailey said that he is looking forward to meeting all of the faculty and staff of Washington City Schools and considers himself a people person, but he is anxious to meet them, get to know them, and find out each building’s culture. He said he wants to respect and learn those cultures but also said he wants to push the envelope in terms of stepping up their game so they can improve the Washington City Schools’ report card and student achievement.
“It’s great, and I love the color blue so that helps,” Bailey said when asked how it feels to become a Blue Lion. “I am very, very happy to be here. I will be moving here with my wife and three of my children and they are anxious to go to the new schools. The buildings are beautiful and we can’t wait to get here, get settled and get started.”
Bailey and his wife Mary are the parents of seven children, four of whom are either attending college or working, and three who will be enrolled in Washington City Schools beginning in the fall.