Lanning feels good about his accomplishments

By Emily Mentzer, Lebanon Express writer

Interim Superintendent George Lanning thinks he is leaving the Lebanon Community School District in a better position than when he found it.

"I think [the district] is positioned to move forward in a positive manner," he said. "I think I've laid a good foundation, along with the existing board, on which they can build."

Lanning served as the superintendent for a little longer than seven months and will return to retirement.

Executive Secretary Kathy Schurr said he was a tremendous asset to the district because he accomplished a lot.

During that time, he addressed administrative staffing, resolved a number of complaints and helped improve relations between the charter school and the district.

But of all the things he did, he said is most proud of celebrating student and staff success.

"There are a lot of great things happening here, it was just overshadowed by the negative," Lanning said.

One of his favorite programs is Seeds of Change.

"That's an amazing program," Lanning said. "Not only are they teaching math, but nutrition aspects."

Among the issues Lanning addressed was the relationship between Sand Ridge Charter School and the rest of the district.

With the district providing busing and food services to the charter school, Lanning said a relationship has developed between Sand Ridge administration and the other schools.

Lanning dealt with a number of personnel decisions, including moving former Seven Oak Middle School Assistant Principal Bo Yates to be the principal at Lebanon High School.

"The change at the high school has proven - even though some people questioned it at the time - to be a good decision," Lanning said.

Although Seven Oak Principal Ed Sansom said he has requested to remain at the middle school, Lanning stands behind his administrative transfers, which would move Sansom to Lacomb School and put Jennifer Meckley in charge at Seven Oak.

"I believe the administrative changes I put into place for 2009-10 will ultimately be conducive to learning and likewise prove to be a good decision down the road," Lanning said.

One of Lanning's goals for his time here in Lebanon was to resolve some of the many complaints the district received.

He said he was surprised by the number of internal and external complaints in the district, "more than any other district I've worked for."

Lanning said in the 25 years he worked in Amity, he can recall one complaint.

"Being there for such a long time, I had an opportunity to develop the relationships, trust, communication and transparency," Lanning said. "If Rob (Hess) is here for a long time, he may be able to build those relationships."

Lanning said having relationships between administration, staff, teachers, students and parents is important.

"It allows you to focus on the education of children, instead of spending all your time on investigations and attorney fees," he said, "which takes away from our mission: Providing a solid education for children."

Lanning has taken everything in stride.

"There's no such word as challenge," Lanning said. "It's merely an opportunity to excel. I've been given lots of opportunities to excel."

While serving as superintendent, Lanning reacquainted himself with old connections, made some new ones, and discovered some he didn't realize he had.

"One night at the American Legion, I sat down with an elderly couple," Lanning recounted. "I didn't recognize her at the time, but she was my high school biology teacher!"

He said he'll miss the great people in Lebanon, but he won't miss the complaints.

"I truly feel I've made a difference for kids," Lanning said. "It's taken a team effort. From the board, to volunteers, to the administrative team, teachers and classified."