Merrillville’s Pierce Middle School Principal Candace Lillie is the new principal at the Gary West Side Leadership Academy.
The Gary School Board approved her appointment on May 14. Details on the term of her contract and her salary weren’t available.
She replaces Carl Scott, who served as principal since 2023. His contract wasn’t renewed by the board, which led to student protests at West Side. State records show his salary last year was $170,000.
A district spokeswoman said Scott won’t remain with the district after his contract expires at the end of the school year. The board didn’t give a reason for the non-renewal in February.
Lillie said she was born and raised in Gary, graduating from the Emerson School of Visual and Performing Arts.
While an assistant principal at Merrillville High School, she was named Indiana Association of Student Councils’ Administrator of the Year in 2020.
In 2022, the Merrillville School Board named her director of student services, diversity, equity and inclusion.
She’s been the principal at Pierce for three years.
Lillie has a master’s degree in educational administration from Ball State and previously served as a Merrillville middle school math teacher for 11 years.
Her son attends school in Merrillville, she said. Gary officials said Lillie resides in Gary.
“I’m just proud to be on this team now and do what I can to move West Side forward. I’m proud to be back home and part of the Gary team,” Lillie said.
Carole Carlson is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.
