Published: May 13, 2009 01:33 pm      

Kimberly Knott named interim leader of Clarksville schools

Clarksville school officials decided Tuesday night not to immediately join other area school corporations with chief administrator vacancies in a superintendent search of their own.

School trustees voted unanimously to name Kimberly Knott interim superintendent, filling a post for the time being that was vacated by Steve Fisher’s departure to lead New Castle Community Schools.

“We are very fortunate to not only have someone willing, but able to fill the position already here,” said school board President Bill Wilson, noting the ongoing superintendent searches in Greater Clark County Schools, New Albany-Floyd County Consolidated School Corp. and North Harrison Community Schools.

Knott was the superintendent of Knox Community Schools in Northwest Indiana prior to taking the assistant superintendent job in Clarksville in July.

“I know what I’m getting into,” Knott said. “It’s not like I should be surprised going forward.”

Knott’s base salary, $91,500 for the 2008-09 school year, will remain the same under an interim contract through June 30, 2010, but some changes in benefits and contract language were included in an addendum approved by the board Tuesday.

The addendum stipulates that $10,000 be paid into Knott’s 401(a) with Metropolitan Life and that she would return to the position of assistant superintendent until June 30, 2011, under the terms of her previous contract should her interim superintendent position “not continue.”

Wilson said the board has no plans at this time to open a superintendent search or refill the assistant superintendent post. The school corporation will save money — Fisher’s salary was $95,035 — as a result.

“We’re going to continue to evaluate Dr. Knott,” Wilson said, noting that the interim appointment will allow the board “some flexibility.”

Interim appointments can last anywhere from a few months to a few years, board member Jim Bemiss noted.