The Lake Station School Board named Christine Pepa its next superintendent Wednesday, making her the first woman to lead the district.
Pepa, who serves as assistant superintendent, received a three-year contract, effective July 1, with a $134,308.00 annual salary. She will be the district’s sixth superintendent.
Board members approved her appointment unanimously by a 4-0 vote with Jordan Billups absent. She succeeds Thomas Cripliver, who announced his retirement in January after serving as superintendent for 11 years.
“I’m honored to be the new superintendent to carry on the legacy Dr. Cripliver has put into place,” Pepa said. “I’m very excited for our future.”
Board member Kevin Music said the district is fortunate to have a successor in place at a time when administrative positions are unfilled across the state.
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“We won’t have as difficult of a transition as some other school districts may have,” he said.
“It’s been a journey for us… You’re going to do an amazing job,” said board member Greg Tenorio.
“She’s worked in our district for a decade, working with our families and our students… and also has maintained those connections with our community and with our students, so I couldn’t be more pleased that she will become the next superintendent,” said Cripliver.
Pepe, 55, of Schererville, said she’s now studying for a doctoral degree at Indiana State University. She received her undergraduate degree at Valparaiso University and her master’s at Indiana University Northwest. She began her career as a math teacher in Illinois and New Jersey. The Crown Point High graduate returned to teach math for 10 years at Crown Point High School.
She held administrative posts at Hammond Morton and River Forest high schools, and the Charter School of the Dunes before coming to Edison High as its principal.
“My philosophy has always been kids first, and coming here and working with Tom (Cripliver), that’s always been his philosophy. So it’s always been a perfect fit,” she said.
Pepa said the district will also be hiring an assistant superintendent in the coming months.
Carole Carlson is a freelance reporter at the Post-Tribune.