Erin Stalbaum
Bartholomew Consolidated School Corp. board members approved three appointments to administrative positions on Monday including naming two assistant superintendents and a new principal at CSA New Tech.
Erin Stalbaum was approved as new assistant superintendent for human resources, effective July 1, replacing Gina Pleak who has taken a new job as New Palestine Community Schools superintendent.
“BCSC is a high-performing district and I’m certainly grateful to the board and the BCSC cabinet for this opportunity to make an impact and continue the vision for BCSC to be the choice to learn, work and play,” Stalbaum said. “They have an excellent comprehensive strategic plan that focuses on the collaboration with not only the faculty and staff, but the community and most importantly, the students. The community in general was certainly appealing, the school district itself, and then the strategic plan that the board of school trustees has set for the district were all components that made the jump easy to make.”
Stalbaum comes from Monroe County Community School Corp. where she worked as assistant superintendent of professional learning and certified human resources since 2022.
Stalbaum’s prior experience includes her work as director of the transformation zone and systems improvement at Kokomo School Corp.
“It was really working with teachers on student outcome driven systems to support the goal of moving the academic needle as they say, or moving our academics forward in a way that increases student achievement and growth,” Stalbaum said. “… It really was a collaborative effort, having those relationships with teachers to be able to have the conversations that we’re going to make those changes where we all understood where we were at and where we needed to go.”
Before joining Kokomo School Corp., Stalbaum was the senior school improvement specialist for the Indiana Department of Education, and a teacher at Greenwood Community Schools for nearly a decade.
“I was a teacher who was always wanting to learn new things,” Stalbaum said of her time as a teacher.
“I know that teaching is one of the most important professions in the world— we are the profession that creates all other professions,” Stalbaum said. “And so being in education really has been a passion of mine from the beginning. You realize as you’re going on in your career, you can make these great impacts, and create these spaces for teachers to be empowered and to educate students.”
Stalbaum earned her bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Ball State University, a master’s degree in education leadership from IUPUI, and received her doctorate in Educational Leadership from Indiana State University. She also serves as an adjunct professor at Indiana State University.
Stalbaum is married to her husband Bobby and they have three children in the public school system.
“Dr. Stalbaum’s appointment comes at a crucial time as BCSC continues to evolve to meet the needs of our students and our community. Her extensive experience and relationship-driven leadership are key to our ability to attract and retain the best educators for BCSC,” said incoming BCSC Superintendent Chad Phillips. “Her proven track record of systems improvement and her commitment to effective educational practices will be invaluable in achieving our vision to be THE CHOICE to learn, work, and play.”
In addition to Stalbaum’s appointment, Brett Boezeman has been promoted to take Phillips’ prior job as assistant superintendent for finance and operations effective July 1. Boezeman had been director of operations since 2018.
“Thank you for taking the chance on this farm kid from the region,” Boezeman said. “… A few days ago at a conference I was asked what has drawn me to Columbus, and as I’ve reflected on that I jotted down a few notes. I told this person Columbus is unique— I came here for a job and I quickly realized that this place is much more.”
Before becoming director of operations, he was assistant principal at Northside Middle School from 2008 until 2012 and principal at Schmitt Elementary School from 2012 to 2018.
Boezeman began teaching at Indianapolis Public Schools in 2001 as a computer science teacher and served as a sixth grade teacher and assistant principal for Danville Community School Corp. from 2004 to 2008.
He earned his doctorate and master’s degree from Indiana State and his bachelor’s degree from the University of Southern Indiana.
His wife Brittany teaches at CSA Fodrea and they have two children.
“Brittany and I owe everything to giving back, so when asked if I would give more to this community and expand the professional role, the answer is yes. I appreciate your trust and support and will continue to give everything I have,” he said.
Also, the board selected Columbus Virtual Pathway Director Josh Giebel to become the second principal in CSA New Tech history. He will replace Mike Reed who had been at the school for three decades.
“I owe a special debt of gratitude to Mike Reed, his guidance, support and friendship have been instrumental in helping me realize my dream of leading CSA New Tech,” Giebel said. “… “14 years ago, when Mike offered me a teaching position at CSA New Tech, I knew I had found a special place where I can make a real difference for students in education.”
Giebel had been director of Columbus Virtual Pathway for the past three years.
“At CVP, I was able to spread my wings a little later and really grow into my role. While it was a life changing experience, my heart was always with CSA New Tech and its revolutionary approach to education.”
He now returns to CSA New Tech where he started his BCSC career as a math teacher for eight years and guidance counselor for three.
Giebel received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and administrative certificate and master’s degree in mathematics from Ball State.
