AKRON — Tippecanoe Valley School Corporation used the tried and true method of promoting from within when the corporation’s board of trustees voted unanimously Monday night, March 12, to name its assistant superintendent as the new superintendent.

The board voted 5-0 to name Blaine Conley to the post beginning July 1. Board president Andy Heckaman told the audience in Tippecanoe Valley High School’s lecture room that Conley was nearly a no-brainer selection for the position.

“After many meetings, discussions and public feedback, we realized that our next leader may be right here at Tippecanoe Valley,” said Heckaman. “As a board we decided to meet with our current assistant superintendent, Mr. Blaine Conley. Mr. Conley answered many of our questions and shared with us his vision and his goals for Tippecanoe Valley School Corporation. I think I can speak for the rest of the members when I say a weight was lifted from us that evening  because we knew we’d found our next superintendent.”

Conley, a graduate of Warsaw High School who has been employed at Tippecanoe Valley schools for 17 years, was humbled by the assignment.

“Seventeen years,” Conley said. “I’m a very reflective person. The best part of coming here was I met my wife and she’s right here. Seventeen years has flown by and I’m really excited about the future of Tippecanoe Valley. I thank God for the students I’ve gotten to work with, the teachers and staff.”

Conley received his bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Manchester College and earned a master’s degree in education from Indiana University. Conley also earned an educational specialist in school administration from Indiana State University. His path at Tippecanoe Valley began as a teacher at Akron Elementary before being named principal of that school. Prior to being named assistant superintendent of the school corporation, Conley served as principal of Tippecanoe Valley Middle School.

“We all feel that Blaine is well-prepared to run our school system,” said Board Vice President Aaron Zolman. “His vision, drive and dedication to TVSC is what sets him apart from others as an outstanding administrator. We feel he will continue to take our school in the direction it needs to go in order to prepare our kids for today, tomorrow and beyond.”

Conley will fill the position currently held by longtime Superintendent Brett Boggs who announced his retirement in January. Boggs began with the school corporation at Akron in 1978 and was named superintendent in 2008.