Outgoing Unit 5 superintendent Mark Daniel has landed a new job leading one of the largest school districts in Indiana.
Daniel was hired Tuesday as the new superintendent of Fort Wayne Community Schools. He starts July 1. That's the same day his successor in Unit 5, Kristen Kendrick-Weikle, starts her new job with the Normal-based school district.
Fort Wayne's district has nearly 30,000 students—over twice as many as Unit 5. It's where Daniel himself graduated high school in 1979 and later began his teaching career.
"Mark will be able to bring new ideas to the district but also has an understanding of our community, as well as the strengths and challenges of our school district,” said Fort Wayne school board president Julie Hollingsworth. “He has proven success in collaborating with teachers, administrators, support staff, students, parents and business and community leaders. These characteristics convinced the Board that Dr. Mark Daniel is the best person to lead FWCS, both to build on its success and to drive increased student performance."
Daniel was chosen from a pool of 23 applicants, six interviewed candidates, and three finalists.
Daniel's new annual base salary will be $215,000, with the opportunity for a $10,000 annual performance bonus. He most recently made $197,676 with Unit 5.
Daniel announced in September 2019 he planned to leave following the 2019-20 school year, when his contract was up. Daniel was hired in 2014.
