Lewis Cass hires Dr. Chris Daughtry as superintendent

The Lewis Cass Board of Trustees has hired Dr. Chris Daughtry as the new superintendent of Lewis Cass Schools.

"I feel very honored that the Lewis Cass Board of Trustees has selected me to become a part of their school family, and I am looking forward to working with all members of the school community and community at large as the next superintendent for the corporation," Daughtry said in a letter.

Daughtry is currently in his 27th year in education, with the last six spent in St. Louis, Mo. as an assistant superintendent. Prior to this, he spent the majority of his career as an educator in Indiana, serving as superintendent of schools for Elwood Community School Corporation and Central Noble Community School Corporation.

Daughtry also served as the director of transportation for Tippecanoe School Corporation and as an elementary principal for Wabash City Schools.

Daughtry graduated from Purdue University and later studied at both Indiana Wesleyan University and Oakland City University.

"I proudly served in the Air Force Reserve for eight years at Grissom Air Force Base, and I am very excited to return to this area that holds many memories for me," he said.

Daughtry and his wife, Sarah, have four daughters. He is expected to start his tenure in the second semester.

"Our daughters are now beginning to embark upon their own journeys, and we are excited to be back home again in Indiana near family and friends we have been away from over the last six years," Daughtry said. "I am looking forward to this opportunity to step back into a servant leadership role in a small, rural school community, as I spent invaluable time serving on the board of directors for the Indiana Small and Rural Schools Association.

"My belief has always been that small and rural schools are hidden gems in education, allowing students to receive individualized attention while still providing them with unique opportunities to reach their dreams."

Daughtry is the third Lewis Cass Schools superintendent in the past year. Tim Garland, who had served in the role since 2015, was placed on administrative leave in April and later resigned. Steve Darnell, a retired educator, has been the interim superintendent since.

"Lewis Cass Schools is a place where students can chase those dreams while discovering their interests and developing their talents," Daughtry said. "The Lewis Cass Schools provide this with their tradition of athletic excellence combined with an outstanding tradition of providing students with extracurricular opportunities.

"It is widely accepted that students who participate in school activities beyond the classroom are generally successful in school. Lewis Cass provides many opportunities for students to become actively involved outside of the classroom during their school career."