MUNCIE — State-appointed emergency managers notified Muncie Community Schools Superintendent Steven Baule on Friday that his contract will not be renewed after it expires on June 30.
Steve Edwards, a member of the emergency management firm, Administrator Assistance, declined to comment when contacted on Saturday morning but issued a statement to The Star Press:
"Administrator Assistance has provided notice to Dr. Baule and the Muncie Community Schools’ Board of Trustees that they have decided not to renew Dr. Baule’s contract past its current expiration date of June 30, 2018 at this time.
"Pursuant to Indiana Code 6-1.1-20.3-7.1, the emergency manager must approve the incurrence of contractual obligations exceeding $30,000. To provide flexibility in reviewing financial options available to Muncie Community Schools, the emergency manager felt it was best not to incur this contractual obligation at this time. Dr. Baule’s employment with Muncie Community Schools continues through June 30, 2018."
School board President Debbie Feick on Friday night declined comment on the status of the superintendent's contract.
"Any personnel matter is confidential," she told The Star Press. "We will do everything we can to respect the rights of our teachers and administrators and honor that confidentiality."
Baule's original three-year contract expires on June 30. According to state law, the contract automatically would have rolled over for another year if the school board took no action on it by the end of this year.