By William Croyle
Enquirer contributor

LAWRENCEBURG - Ten days after the start of a new school year, the Lawrenceburg School Board accepted the retirement of Superintendent Todd Rudnick this week.

At its Monday night meeting, the board voted unanimously to accept the retirement of Rudnick, in his sixth year as the top educator in this district of 1,500 students. By a 4-to-3 vote, the board approved Central Elementary School Principal Dan Kuebler as acting superintendent.

Rudnick, 55, held the same job in Union County, Ind., the previous five years.

"It's been 11 years and it's something I've been talking about," Rudnick said. "We have a new board now, and it's time for them to work with someone new."

Three new members were elected to the seven-member board in January.

Rudnick, in the second year of a five-year contract, earns $93,000 annually. He will take vacation and sick time through Dec. 18, before his retirement takes effect Dec. 19.

School board president Shirley Seitz said Rudnick will then be paid his regular salary for the next 15 months.

Rudnick's tenure in Lawrenceburg has not been without controversy. As a board member for the Lawrenceburg Education Fund, he was criticized last year for spending most of the money from the private foundation on administrative needs rather than on the needs of students.

"I thought when he was first hired as superintendent, he did a good job," Seitz said, adding that she would not comment on his recent performance.

The board will evaluate the superintendent position in December, when Rudnick's retirement becomes official.

Kuebler, 50, said he would be interested in keeping the job but now will be a challenge.

"The district is in very good shape, but a lot of the perceptions people have need to be changed," said Kuebler. "It's not going to be easy, but I'll give it my best shot."

Seitz said Michelle McCollom, assistant principal at Central Elementary, will replace Kuebler. With a new K-2 school opening in October, McCollom will then have the choice of remaining principal at Central or becoming the principal at the new school.

A new principal will be hired to fill the other vacancy.

E-mail williamcroyle@yahoo.com