By JESSICA SIEFF
Niles Daily Star

The third candidate up for consideration by the Niles Community Schools Board of Education to replace Superintendent Doug Law when he retires from the position at the end of this school year is a principal from Leo-Cedarville, Ind., located just outside of Fort Wayne.

Mark Daniel, principal of Leo Junior/Senior High School, began his career in education as a math and business teacher and coach at North Side High School in Fort Wayne in 1985, according to the resume submitted to the board.

He began his career with Leo High School in 1995 as assistant principal and has been overseeing the school as principal since 1998.

According to a school snapshot compiled by the Indiana Department of Education, Leo Jr./Sr. High School saw an enrollment of 1,228 students for the 2008-2009 school year and a graduating class of 171 students for the same year.

Data collected for 2008-2009 describes the location of the high school where Daniel is currently principal states only nine percent of students utilize free or reduced lunches – that’s compared to an estimated 39 percent at Niles High School based on current figures.

In his school improvement plan, Daniel took a close look at how students learn effectively and said “it is the belief of the faculty and administration of Leo Jr./Sr. High School that all students learn by infusing real-world, experiential activities with a rigorous and relevant curriculum.”
According to his resume, Daniel is a member of the Indiana Association of Public School Superintendents, the American Association of School Administrators and the Indiana association of school principals.

He also states he is interested in “a challenging opportunity where innovation is the norm ensuring excellence in education for all students…”

Leo-Cedarville is one of 18 schools included in East Allen County school district, according to the district’s Web site, including five junior/senior and standard high schools, two middle schools and 11 elementary schools.