Governor Eric J. Holcomb and the Indiana School for the Blind and Visually Impaired (ISBVI) today announced James R. Michaels will serve as the next superintendent. The school’s current superintendent, James Durst, announced his retirement earlier this year. Michaels will enter the role with over 35 years of serving Hoosier youth and adults with disabilities.
“James Michaels has spent his life in service to Hoosiers with disabilities,” said Gov. Holcomb. “I know James will bring that dedication along with his decades of experience providing and leading human services to the Indiana School for the Blind and Visually Impaired."
Michaels is an alumnus, former employee and former board member of ISBVI. Since 1998, Michaels has served in education, counseling and leadership positions, including VP of Programs, at Bosma Enterprises, an Indianapolis nonprofit providing employment, rehabilitation and job training for people who are blind or visually impaired. Earlier in his career, Michaels held multiple student-serving roles at the Indiana School for the Deaf.
“I am so grateful to have the opportunity to return to the school that made such a difference in my life. As a former student and employee of the Indiana School for the Blind and Visually Impaired, I have witnessed first-hand the life changing impact the school has on the students, parents, staff, and the community at-large,” said Michaels. “I am excited to have the opportunity to work side by side with the amazing ISBVI staff to continue to support, encourage, and educate the student-body. The message the students will hear from me over and over again is, ‘I believe in you.’”
Michaels completed his undergraduate and graduate degrees at Indiana University. He resides in Brownsburg with his wife, Connie; they have a son, Jesse, currently attending college.
As one of the largest state schools in the nation serving students who are blind or have low vision, IBSVI enrolls 110 students spanning preschool through high school, approximately 40 of whom are residential, as well as directly serving over 300 students across 46 school districts. Established in 1847, the school also offers a wide array of other programming aligned to its statutory mission of serving Hoosier students with visual disabilities.