Dr. James M. Halik Biography
Introduction
I was born in Lansing, Michigan where I attended school kindergarten through the ninth grade. My father was transferred to Indianapolis, Indiana and relocated in Johnson County where I graduated from Center Grove High School, Greenwood, IN. With the exception of two years I have lived and worked within twenty miles from the home where I lived. Johnson County has been my home for 58 years!
Family
Married to Connie (51 years), a retired third grade teacher from the Franklin Community School Corporation, Franklin, Indiana. Connie is a graduate of Whiteland Community High School, Whiteland, IN. We have three daughters who all graduated from Franklin Community High School, Franklin, IN. Lindsay (Kindergarten Teacher), Jessica (Cosmetologist), and Kristin (Kindergarten Teacher and Manager at the Magic Kingdom) and nine grandchildren, Madeline (Social Media/Marketing for Ole Miss), Audrey, Nora, Harrison, Henry, Hudson (identical triplets), Liam (deceased), River and Luke.
Education
Ph.D. Indiana State University, Terre Haute, Indiana
2012
Major: Educational Leadership
Dissertation: Quantitative National Study
“Does the Training of School Board Members Make a Difference”
Ed.S. Ball State University, Muncie, Indiana
1981
Major: School Superintendency
M.S. Ball State University, Muncie, Indiana
1978
Major: Earth Science/Geology and Secondary Education
School Principal License
Research: Thesis Topic – “The Quality of Indiana Ground Water Table”
B.S. Ball State University, Muncie, Indiana
1975
Major: Earth Science/Geology
Minor: Natural Resources, Geography, and Marketing
Endorsements: Junior High/Middle School and Driver Traffic Education
Compass-Keynote Consulting, LLC
President/Founder Compass-Keynote Consulting, LLC, Morgantown, Indiana
2014-Present
Primary Purpose: Mentor, Coach, and Guide on the Side
Serve more than 200 of the 291 Indiana School Corporations
Work in 67% of Indiana’s Counties
Primary Role: Facilitator for school board orientation and training;
Board and administrator strategic planning retreats;
School Leadership Team Development;
Motivational/Inspirational Keynote Speaker;
Facility Planning;
Organizational Climate Audits; and
Policy Development
Indiana Associate
Neola, Inc., Coshocton, Ohio
2014-Present
Primary Purpose: School Board Policy Development
Primary Role: Indiana Associate
Serve 78 Indiana School Corporations
Work in 34 Indiana Counties
College and University Experience
Adjunct Professor
Franklin College, Franklin, IN
1985-2003, 2019-2020
Education Department
Undergraduate BS Degree Program
Courses taught:
Methods of Instruction – Middle School
Methods of Teaching Middle School & High School Content: Science
Adjunct Professor
University of Indianapolis, Indianapolis, IN
1984-1987, 2015-2018
Education Department
Undergraduate BS Degree Program
Courses taught:
Middle School Teaching Methods
Education Department
Graduate MBAE Degree Program
Woodrow Wilson National Fellowship Foundation Program
Courses taught:
Strategic Management of Talent in Education
Thriving School Audits: Thriving Schools Thriving Communities
Economic Development: Schools as Change Agents
Business Department
Graduate MBAE Degree Program
Woodrow Wilson National Fellowship Foundation Program
Course taught:
Funding, Taxes, and Growth
Adjunct Professor
Butler University, Indianapolis, IN
2014-2018
Education Department
Undergraduate BS Degree Program
Courses taught:
Introduction to the Teaching Profession
Computers in Education
Adjunct Professor
Indiana State University, Terre Haute, IN
2014-2015
Education Department
Graduate Ed.S. Degree Program
Course taught:
Leadership for Learning Curriculum
Other Experience
Defensive Driving Instructor Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles, Indianapolis, IN
1976-2003
Instructor (Graduated more than 12,000 Hoosier Drivers)
Received the Indiana Instructor Achievement Award 25 straight years
Received a Commendation from the Governor of the State of Indiana for:
“Outstanding Service to Indiana Award”
Red Apple Textbook Repair, Bargersville, IN
Founder/Owner/Operator
Professional Bookbinder for 25 years
1982-2016
Textbook Repairs for many thousands of Textbooks for Indiana Schools
Professional Experience
Superintendent
Edinburgh Community School Corporation
Edinburgh, IN
2024-2028 Interim
Pre-K - 12th Grade
Enrollment: 750 Students
Superintendent
North Lawrence Community Schools
Bedford, IN
2023-2024 Interim
Superintendent
Jennings County School Corporation
North Vernon, IN
2022-2023 Interim
Superintendent
Brown County Schools
Nashville, IN
2018-2019 Interim
Principal
Custer Baker Intermediate School, Franklin Community School Corporation
Franklin, IN
2018-2019 Interim
5th -6th Grade School
Enrollment: 783 Students
Superintendent
Richland-Bean Blossom School Corporation
Ellettsville, IN
2017-2018 Interim
Pre-K – 12th Grade School Corporation
Enrollment: 3,000 Students
Principal
Union Elementary School, Franklin Community School Corporation
Franklin, IN
2016-2017 Interim
K-4th Grade School
Enrollment: 127 students
Principal
Center Grove Elementary School, Center Grove Community School Corporation
Greenwood, IN
2016-2017 Interim
K-4th Grade School
Enrollment: 1,200 students
Principal
Needham Elementary School, Franklin Community School Corporation
Franklin, IN
2015-2016 Interim
K-4th Grade School
Enrollment: 490 students
Superintendent
C.S.C. Southern Hancock County (renamed in 2025 to the New Palestine Community School Corporation)
New Palestine, IN
2004-2014 Retired
Pre-K – 12th Grade School Corporation
Enrollment: 4,000 students
Superintendent
Franklin Community School Corporation
Franklin, IN
1994-2004
Pre-K – 12th Grade School Corporation
Enrollment: 5,200 students
Principal
Center Grove Middle School, Center Grove Community School Corporation
Greenwood, IN
1987-1994
6th – 8th Grade School
Enrollment: 1,352 students
Principal
Custer Baker Middle School, Franklin Community School Corporation
Franklin, IN
1983-1987
6th – 8th Grade School
Enrollment: 952 students
Asst. Principal
Center Grove Middle School, Center Grove Community School Corporation
Greenwood, IN
1981-1983
6th – 8th Grade School
Enrollment: 1,200 students
Asst. Principal
Concord Junior High School, Concord Community School Corporation
Elkhart, IN
1979-1981
7th – 8th Grade School
Enrollment: 800 students
Science Teacher
Center Grove Middle School, Center Grove Community School Corporation
Greenwood, IN
1978-1979
Science Teacher
Meridian Middle School, MSD Perry Township
Indianapolis, IN
1975-1978