Perry Township Superintendent Mapes to retire in June

The superintendent of Perry Township Schools, Pat Mapes, will retire at the end of this school year. 

“I have great pride in the work we have been able to accomplish as a team,” Mapes said in a press release. “I am grateful for the hardworking staff who have made the great successes of Perry Township Schools possible.”

During his seven years with the district on the Southside of Indianapolis, Mapes has increased teacher base salaries by nearly $17,000, according to the district. Mapes also encouraged Perry voters to renew the district’s $154 million property-tax referendum to support teacher salaries, STEM programming and transportation. 

Before joining Perry Township Schools, Mapes was the chairman of the Indiana Education Employment Relations Board and state director of teacher licensing and assistant superintendent of operations for the Indiana Department of Education, among other titles. He was also the regional advisory chairperson on education issues for the United States Department of Education.

“I’m also thankful for the community for prioritizing education and supporting the district,” Mapes said. “Perry Township Schools is in great shape and ready for a new leader to come in and continue the work of serving students.”

Mapes has also been a member of the Indiana State Board of Education since July 2019. His term will also end at the end of June. 

The new superintendent will have their hands full as the district tries to address its crippling bus driver shortage, which Mapes said began at least seven years ago. In early December, the Perry school board unanimously voted to end school choice and eliminate 15 to 36 routes to ease the burden on bus drivers.

The district’s superintendent search is underway.

Contact WFYI education reporter Elizabeth Gabriel at egabriel@wfyi.org. Follow on Twitter: @_elizabethgabs.