Superintendent's Message

Dear West Lafayette School Community,

I would like to welcome you to West Lafayette and a high performing quality school corporation.  This past year of COVID-19 and all the challenges it has created has made us wiser and stronger.  Thank you to all staff who have worked endless hours to have a successful and safe school year.  Thank you to families who adjusted schedules, learned about Zooming a classroom, and completing assignments digitally.  Having a growth mindset and finding new ways to engage students and each other are skills that have changed education today and tomorrow.  One of my mentors who founded a business that has lasted over 70 years when I asked him, “Paul, How have you maintained momentum and quality through three generations?”  Paul responded, “Mike, You need to look into the future and bring it into the present.”  The staff, the parents, and the students have worked at creating the beginning of the future within the district.  Possibly, we can celebrate the frustrations and efforts for a better and different tomorrow.

I am privileged and honored to be serving the West Lafayette Community School Corporation as the interim superintendent.  I am now a citizen of West Lafayette and appreciate and admire the quality of the community and reputation of the schools within West Lafayette and Tippecanoe County.  I have had the opportunity to work at all levels of education, K-12, in both rural and urban districts.  I have a wide view of education and have found academic excellence, outstanding educators and excellent students in each setting.  I am excited about learning new insights during this present role.

The school board is actively seeking an individual for the superintendent’s role.  The corporation has a solid and talented board of education.  I would invite you to visit the central office for discussion or reach out through voice or electronically.  Thanks for visiting the West Lafayette Community School Corporation website.  I wish you the very best.

Yours truly,
Michael Pettibone
Interim Superintendent