Dr. Thomas Balitewicz served as interim principal at Brownsburg High School during the 2024–25 school year, but this fall, it’s official.
As of the 2025–26 school year, Balitewicz will become the permanent high school principal, and more than 3,000 students will reap the benefits of his 30-year career and passion for education.
Most recently, Balitewicz was assistant superintendent for student services at Vigo County School Corp., but he’s spent the past three decades serving as teacher, principal and administrator.
He said it’s the leadership at Brownsburg Community School Corp. that prompted his application and move to Hendricks County.
“I was looking for something different, and I got a call from Superintendent Dr. Kat Jessup. It was the people in that room that really enticed me to serve as interim principal. I could see the team I was surrounded by was dynamic. I’ve come to like and enjoy them, and I’ve enjoyed this past year, culminating with my first Brownsburg graduation. It’s been exciting,” Balitewicz said.
Despite years in an administrative office, his wife always told him he’d finish his career as a high school principal.
“It’s the connections with the students I cherish the most, and as an administrator, it’s harder to build those relationships,” Balitewicz said.
In a large school, it’s not uncommon for students to get lost in the shuffle of schedules, athletics, extracurriculars and more. BCSC developed a plan to make that large school feel a bit smaller.
Each graduating class has its own administration team that follows the class throughout their four years at the high school.
“It was a genius move to create these teams. It’s amazing to me, and I can’t imagine the emotional attachment you have and sense of pride you have when you see these former freshmen graduate,” Balitewicz said.
He’s overseeing the four classes and the administrators that lead them, but Balitewicz has made it his mission to create those connections with as many students as possible.
“It starts in the morning. We have about 400 car riders, and I help facilitate that. The parents might have thought that was strange in the beginning, but it’s allowed me to see these same students every day, and I was able to build connections with them,” Balitewicz said.
Never one to stay secluded in his office, he makes an effort to be visible every day and regularly walks the halls.
“I like to go to the practices for our athletic teams. I find it to be more valuable than going to the game, because you can’t do more than observe at the game. This way, I’m able to talk with them during practice,” Balitewicz said. “Brownsburg also has an amazing music program. I started a routine of visiting during the warmup in choir. It’s a highlight of my day. I’m able to act silly with the students, and I form this deep connection with them. They won state this year and though it certainly didn’t have anything to do with me, I was super proud of their success.”
Looking ahead, Balitewicz has come on board just in time for the completion of construction at the high school.
Over the past three years, staff and students have watched the renovation and expansion of the Senior Academy, the relocation and expansion of the Senior Academy cafeteria and dining room, a connection piece between Senior Academy and the main building, the addition of a new fieldhouse facility, renovation to the pool and a renovation of the varsity gymnasium.
It will officially be complete by fall 2025.
“I’ve been in a lot of high schools in the past 30 years, and this is probably the nicest and most beautiful facility in the state. It was so well thought out and it looks absolutely amazing,” Balitewicz said. “I think both academically and athletically, the renovations and additions will serve as a catapult for our students. No matter what walk of life you come from, the niceness and newness of this building with the natural light coming in makes you feel good as a student and gives you a sense of pride, and that’s really the heart of any school.”
Balitewicz couldn’t have imagined how his career would take the twists and turns it did.
Heading into college, his mind was full of plenty of different options and opportunities, but the relationships he’s formed over the years and created at Brownsburg High School today tell him he’s made the right decision time and time again.
Like the teachers, assistant principals and administrators surrounding him, Balitewicz simply wants the best for his students and knows he’s creating memories for a lifetime.
Watching students win state championships (there were three so far this year), silly singing during the choir warmup or patting a football player on the back — it’s all part of the process as they grow, learn and prepare themselves for the future.
“No one should peak in high school. There’s a saying, ‘Ships aren’t built to stay in the harbor, they’re meant to go out to sea.’ We do that every year. We don’t want them to stay in the safety of the harbor. We want them to go out into this world and make it a better place. That’s what graduation is all about,” Balitewicz said.
I am in Terre Haute. I met Mr. B when I did some volunteer presentations on texting while driving at his high school. I think he is a top notch educator. My grandson is a student at Brownsburg HS and I don’t think BB could have a more talented principal who is more devoted to his students.