South Carolina man selected from 19 candidates
Giltner Public Schools announced a re-shuffling at the top of its administration for the 2021-22 school year with Christopher Pietrzak of Blenheim, S.C., to be the school’s new PK-12 principal and activities director beginning next year.
According to Supt. Nick Mumm, there were 19 candidates for the position posted with four interviewed Feb. 17 and 18. Final interviews were conducted Feb. 20 with the top three candidates and Pietrzak was selected Feb. 21.
“The entire interview process went really well,” Mumm reported. “Eight was a bit of a higher number than what I was used to but those eight really separated themselves.”
Mumm added the eight candidates came through the school to talk with members of the administration, teachers, board members and were even given a tour of the grounds with students.
After the initial eight were interviewed, the list was narrowed to three with Pietrzak’s name in the running.
A second general conversation with those finalists occurred that Saturday morning with Mumm putting out an offer to Pietrzak later that evening.
Mumm added that there was no shortage of things that impressed him about Pietrzak’s commitment, drive and work ethic. After interviewing the first time, Pietrzak came to Giltner’s home basketball finale against McCool Junction to get a feel for the crowd, community and Hornet pride.
“Chris is a real hard worker with a great personality,” Mumm said. “He’s great at building relationships with everyone. He comes from a variety of backgrounds in terms of sizes of schools he’s worked at and has a ton of great things to offer.”
With Pietrzak’s hire, the administration at Giltner will have some shuffling starting next fall.
Mumm, currently the PK-6 principal, will serve as superintendent beginning in the fall. Chad Scheel, current 7-12 principal, will become Giltner’s PK-12 assistant principal.
Michelle Sutter, who resigned at the end of the first semester, was Giltner’s special education director and testing coordinator. Those duties will be spread out between Mumm, Pietrzak and Scheel.
Mumm noted in a phone interview that this new administrative format is what the board was looking for, confiding that he’s more comfortable with it as well.
“The board wanted to dedicate my time to the superintendent role and to be fair to the kids, this is what’s best,” Mumm said. “I like the pair of PreK-12 principals because they are always working together and collaborating on what’s best.
Pietrzak’s wife, Jennifer, is a McCook native and will teach at Wood River next fall. They have four children with the youngest two set to attend Giltner this fall.