Published: December 18, 2008 10:15 pm      

Geo-RF board taps Irwin as super

GEORGETOWN — A new Georgetown-Ridge Farm district leader is in the wings as board members named Greg Irwin on Thursday as superintendent to replace retiring Kevin Tate.

Irwin, 50, has been the superintendent of the Mulberry Grove school district for the past seven years, but is no stranger to Georgetown-Ridge Farm. He began his teaching career as an industrial arts instructor at Georgetown High School in 1982.

“So this has come full circle,” Irwin said.

Before his tenure as the leader of Mulberry Grove — a school system of about 500 students in southern Illinois near Vandalia — he was the Westville Junior High School principal for seven years. Before that, he taught and coached at Westville High School for five years and was a teacher at Mary Miller Junior High in Georgetown for three years before that.

“Vermilion County has always been home for me for most of my adult life,” Irwin said. “It’s certainly a draw to be back here near family. I loved the time I spent in Georgetown. I looked for an opportunity to be back in the district and I’m thrilled with the opportunity.”

Irwin said while the size of Georgetown-Ridge Farm will be a little bit of a change compared to Mulberry Grove, the makeup of the districts is similar.

Board President Jack Morrison said 16 candidates applied for the position, which was then narrowed to the six strongest candidates. Before interviews took place, two of the final six dropped out of contention because they accepted other positions. The final four candidates were interviewed.

“All the candidates had their strengths and weaknesses,” Morrison said.

Morrison said Irwin stood out due to his experience as a superintendent, which includes managing budgets and negotiating contracts. He also said that Irwin’s familiarity with the area, being removed from the region for some time and now returning with new ideas was a factor.

“I think all those things figured into it,” Morrison said.

Irwin was given a three-year contract with a base salary beginning at $105,000. All board members voted in favor of the hiring, except board member Kevin Metheney.

The superintendent-elect said he works with a great group of people currently, but is looking forward to getting reacquainted with staff and administration here. A “meet and greet” open house may be set as early as January to give the staff and commu-nity members a chance to meet Irwin in person.

Irwin officially begins in his new post July , the day after Tate retires after serving 28 years there, the last 14 of them as district head.

WHAT’S NEXT

The Georgetown Ridge-Farm School Board will meet at 7 p.m. Jan. 12 in the superintendent’s office.