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July 20, 2012

Greater Clark administrator retiring

Martin Bell, COO, on his way out

By JEROD CLAPP jerod.clapp@newsandtribune.com

JEFFERSONVILLE — One of Greater Clark County Schools’ key administrators will officially retire at the end of September.

Martin Bell, chief operating officer, on Monday submitted his intent to retire. But he said he knew he was going to leave in December.

“I knew I was going to do it shortly after they did not renew [former superintendent] Steve Daeschner’s  contract,” Bell said.

Bell, who headed up food services, communications, human resources, transportation, technology and multicultural affairs operations, said there was a better chance he would have stayed with the district if Daeschner’s contract had been renewed.

“There would have been some discussion around that,” Bell said. “I ended up at Greater Clark because he wanted the help in trying to remold the system to be more child-focused. Steve and I are very close friends and he would have been very convincing, I think.”

Andrew Melin, superintendent of Greater Clark, said in an email that Bell’s expertise will be missed.

“Marty Bell has been a great asset to Greater Clark County Schools working effectively with an array of departments,” Melin said.

The chief operating officer’s position won’t be rehired. Erin Bojorquez, director of communications, said Bell’s responsibilities will pass on to other cabinet members.

Bell said his last official day on the job is Sept. 28, but with accumulated vacation, he may not be in the office much between now and then. He did say he’d help Melin with finishing up projects and helping the new chief financial officer, Tom Dykiel, transition into his office.

Bell, 66, said he plans on spending time boating or going to his grandchildren’s sporting events, as well as volunteering at their schools.

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