Dr. Tracy Lorey to become Deputy Secretary of Education, step down as superintendent

Dr. Tracy Lorey, Superintendent of Greater Jasper Consolidated Schools (GJCS), announced her decision to resign to serve as the Deputy Secretary of Education for the State of Indiana.

According to an email, she will start in her new role on February 3, 2025, under Governor Mike Braun and Secretary of Education Dr. Katie Jenner to advance educational initiatives across Indiana.

“This opportunity will allow me to serve Governor Mike Braun and Secretary of Education Dr. Katie Jenner in advancing the mission of education across our great state,” Dr. Lorey wrote.

Dr. Lorey succeeded Dr. Jerrill Vandeventer as the superintendent in 2012 when he retired. There have been many challenges and accomplishments during her time with the school corporation. She has led the corporation through rebuilding the high school gymnasium after it collapsed in 2011, consolidating Fifth and Tenth Street schools into the Jasper Elementary School, updating and modernizing the corporation’s technology and facilities, facing the educational challenges of an increasingly multicultural population, and operating through a pandemic.

“Together, we have cultivated a culture of academic excellence and created opportunities for every student to reach their potential,” she noted in her email. “None of this would have been possible without the dedication of our exceptional staff, the bright promise of our students, and the steadfast support of this remarkable community.”

She looks forward to applying her experiences at GJCS to a statewide platform, “advocating for innovative solutions and equitable educational opportunities for all Indiana students.”

“I am excited to work alongside Dr. Jenner to promote policies and programs that strengthen education in Indiana—ensuring every child, regardless of their zip code, has access to a high-quality education,” Dr. Lorey wrote.

To ensure a smooth transition, Dr. Lorey pledged her support to the Greater Jasper Consolidated School Board as they seek her successor.

“Thank you for your trust, collaboration, and shared commitment to our students. The memories we’ve created together and the accomplishments we’ve achieved will remain close to my heart,” Dr. Lorey wrote. “Together, we have built a foundation of excellence that will continue to elevate GJCS for generations to come. I am excited to bring this same passion and commitment to my work at the state level, where I will continue to champion the importance of education and opportunity for all Indiana students.”

Among her many accomplishments, Dr. Lorey was named a Dubois County Athenian in 2019 and has been named Superintendent of the Year in District 7 in 2022 and 2017.