The Christian County School Board appointed Christian County High School Principal Chris Bentzel to serve as the next superintendent during a special called meeting Saturday morning.
Bentzel, who has served as principal at the high school, middle school and elementary school levels, will take the position of outgoing Superintendent Mary Ann Gemmill, who will retire at the end of this school year. Finalists for the position where chosen by a screening committee, which consisted of one board member, one principal, two certified employees, one classified employee and a parent—those finalists were then interviewed on March 25. Bentzel was selected to serve from those finalists.
Gemmill congratulated Bentzel on his appointment, saying she has every confidence that she is leaving the district in more than capable hands.
Speaking with WHOP News, Bentzel says he’s thrilled to have been chosen and is eager to get to work—though the first thing to be dealt with is the situation with the coronavirus, and after that is over, he’ll see what changes need to happen, if any.
He says there will be a transition period over the next few months where he’ll work closely with Gemmill, and he’s looking forward to working with the staff of CCPS at every level.
To the parents and students he says hang in there—hopefully soon coronavirus will be a thing of the past and then everyone can get back to work on giving the students a quality education.
Bentzel now has a four-year contract with an annual salary of $145,000, and the district will supply him with a vehicle, health insurance, cell phone and retirement. The board approved the appointment of Bentzel unanimously, with his new role set to become effective on July 1.