Duneland School Board approves new superintendent contract, appoints assistant superintendent
March 20, 2026 | Duneland School Corporation, School Boards, Indiana
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The Duneland School Board voted at a special meeting to approve the new superintendent's contract and, through its personnel approval, appointed Dr. Ben Tonagel as assistant superintendent effective July 1.
The approvals came after brief public remarks from teachers and staff thanking outgoing Superintendent Dr. Pettit and welcoming the new leadership. A board member moved to approve agenda item 3.01, the superintendent's contract; the board approved the motion by voice vote with no opposition. The board then approved the personnel report and consent agenda by voice vote with no opposition.
A representative speaking on behalf of the teachers' association thanked Dr. Pettit for seven years of leadership and credited him with helping win community support for a referendum renewal. A staff member and colleague offered a public welcome to the new superintendent, saying the district's educators and families would support the transition. "You are charged with leading a group of people who care deeply about what they do," the colleague said.
After the personnel vote, Mr. McDermott announced that, with the board's action, Dr. Ben Tonagel will join the district as assistant superintendent effective July 1. Mr. McDermott summarized Tonagel's background, saying Tonagel has spent about 25 years in education as a teacher, dean of students, assistant principal and principal and currently serves as assistant superintendent of student learning for a neighboring district. "We are very excited to welcome Dr. Ben Tonagel to our team and look forward to his leadership for many years to come," Mr. McDermott said.
Dr. Tonagel thanked the board and said he and his wife were "very excited about this opportunity" and looked forward to building on existing relationships and continuing student success efforts.
Board members offered brief farewell remarks to Dr. Pettit and congratulations to Mr. McDermott and Dr. Tonagel. With those matters concluded, a motion to adjourn was made and the chair declared the meeting adjourned.
The board took no other formal action at the meeting. The personnel appointment is effective July 1, per the announcement.
The approvals came after brief public remarks from teachers and staff thanking outgoing Superintendent Dr. Pettit and welcoming the new leadership. A board member moved to approve agenda item 3.01, the superintendent's contract; the board approved the motion by voice vote with no opposition. The board then approved the personnel report and consent agenda by voice vote with no opposition.
A representative speaking on behalf of the teachers' association thanked Dr. Pettit for seven years of leadership and credited him with helping win community support for a referendum renewal. A staff member and colleague offered a public welcome to the new superintendent, saying the district's educators and families would support the transition. "You are charged with leading a group of people who care deeply about what they do," the colleague said.
After the personnel vote, Mr. McDermott announced that, with the board's action, Dr. Ben Tonagel will join the district as assistant superintendent effective July 1. Mr. McDermott summarized Tonagel's background, saying Tonagel has spent about 25 years in education as a teacher, dean of students, assistant principal and principal and currently serves as assistant superintendent of student learning for a neighboring district. "We are very excited to welcome Dr. Ben Tonagel to our team and look forward to his leadership for many years to come," Mr. McDermott said.
Dr. Tonagel thanked the board and said he and his wife were "very excited about this opportunity" and looked forward to building on existing relationships and continuing student success efforts.
Board members offered brief farewell remarks to Dr. Pettit and congratulations to Mr. McDermott and Dr. Tonagel. With those matters concluded, a motion to adjourn was made and the chair declared the meeting adjourned.
The board took no other formal action at the meeting. The personnel appointment is effective July 1, per the announcement.
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