NICK GOSNELL
Hutch Post
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — New Haven USD 312 Superintendent Craig Idacavage is excited for the challenge of leading a district after 17 years as an elementary principal, but he understands that the educational recovery from the COVID-19 years is continuing.
"I don't think we're done seeing the impact of it," Idacavage said. "I think we're going to be cleaning this up for a couple years now, as we get back into, 'the old normal', I guess. It was a rough two years. I was fortunate enough to work with some good people that showed up every day and worked hard for kids and so, we were able to make it through it."
Idacavage is a Caldwell, Kansas native and a Southwestern College grad and wanted to get his family back to this part of the state. He had a chance to do a little chatting with some students recently.
"I stopped for coffee in Haven two weeks ago when I was in town for a meeting," Idacavage said. "A couple high school kids were working behind the counter. They didn't even know who I was. I just asked them what their favorite part about the schools were. They just said the people. Not only the adults, but the kids, how they help each other out. They get along. They may not all be friends, but they're not cliquey and all those things and just the respect the kids receive from the adults in the building."
He is happy with what he's seen in the district so far and doesn't intend to make major changes, as what they are doing seems to be working.
"I wouldn't say I'm nervous about the work that is going to come down the line," Idacavage said. "There's good people in Haven that are in places to help me be successful. I think that when you want to be successful and there are people that want to help you, it's really, really hard to fail."
Idacavage has two children. His daughter will be a freshman and his son a 7th grader in Haven.