SOUTH BEND — It's been just two days since James Kapsa was named South Bend's new school superintendent, but his work is already piling up.

By Wednesday afternoon, Kapsa hadn't had much time to let the new job sink in.

Just hours after bring named the corporation's new leader, he left for Indianapolis to lobby lawmakers about funding for a new "technical high school," where education would be based on trade skills, and supplemented by "real world" experience at local companies.

Last week, Kapsa and several board members toured a brand new "tech" high school in Columbus, Indiana, one of six "new tech" schools now operating across the state. The Columbus school has just 100 students in its first semester of operation, but Kapsa says board members were encouraged by what they saw.

But now, after two trips in a week, he's back home, exhausted, but ready to outline his new vision for the corporation's future.

It's one that began with his hiring as interim superintendent in June, following the abrupt parting of ways with former Superintendent Robert Zimmerman.

Since then, Kapsa says his focus hasn't changed.

"It's always been, what can we do to best run this school corporation?" he said in his first interview since being named superintendent on Monday.

Since then, he says the response has been overwhelming, but his approach to the job hasn't changed.

"It's amazing the number of letters and emails I've received in the last two days," he said. "But we still have a lot of work to do."

When asked if he was surprised that the vote to drop the "interim" portion of his title had come Monday, Kapsa replied "I had heard rumors about it off and on. Frankly, I went into the meeting saying whatever happens is going to happen, and we're going to make it work."

That's exactly what the board did.

They offered Kapsa a three-year contract, as mandated by Indiana state codes.

"I'm very pleased. Because this is sort of a vote of confidence in order to keep working on the many, many battles that we have going on right now," Kapsa said.

It's the culmination of his 40-year career with the South Bend School Corporation, where he wore the hats of teacher, guidance counselor, principal and director of elementary education.

It's that background, he says, that will drive his daily decisions as an administrator.

"As an administrator, you're meant to be a resource to the principals and teachers in the buildings. Jobs are tough in the schools, and the challenges are many. We don't need to create more work for these individuals, but rather, to help them in any way possible," he said.

To do that, Kapsa says he plans to be more visible in school buildings.

"I have made it one of my goals to visit the schools. I try to get out to every school, at least one visit a month," he said.

He's also outlined two main priorities for the corporation: balancing the corporation's budget and improving graduation rates.

"For the budget, we're always looking at options, what options are out there, and what strategies might we do," he said. "For graduation rates, we have to ask, can we do a better job with high school scheduling to provide students with the enrichment and remediation and interesting programs to keep them in school? Maybe there are different ways of teaching a class, other than the lecture method like I was taught."

It's one reason why Kapsa says he's so excited about the possibility of implementing a "new tech" high school that would offer innovative learning opportunities.

"Certainly, it's worth exploring further," he said. "We're not saying we're going to do it yet. But we're getting closer and closer to taking steps in that direction."

The goals don't stop there. From increasing ISTEP scores to figuring out how to pay for, and implement full day kindergarten and new intermediate magnet programs, to developing new school security plans and an updated athletic eligibility policy, the work is piling up quickly.

Kapsa will also have to work with a school board that will soon include two new members to get it all done.

He has plans for that, too.

"I really enjoy the challenge of working with the board. I think I've been overwhelming them with communication. I do send memos to them, and I think I'm on number 115 of them since June," he said with a laugh.

Then, after a moment, he paused.

"I'm serious," he continued. "I've been counting!"

There's a simple reason why.

"It's worth the effort," he said. "It documents for me a history of what's going on on a weekly basis. And I'm just trying to update them on what's going on so there are no surprises. I want them hearing things from me first."

And so far, they have.

Through emails, phone calls, and even breakfast meetings, the goal, Kapsa says, is constantly flowing communication.

"We're a team," he said. "And we don't need to waste our time battling with each other. We need to work together. This has been my theme throughout, and hopefully it's going to continue through my tenure as superintendent."

As for what that tenure itself might hold? Kapsa says it's the last thing on his mind.

"[I haven't talked about money at all yet with the board]. It's not a focus right now," he said. "I have other things that are more important than the contract right now."

Instead, Kapsa says he wants the spotlight to shine on the legacy he'll leave behind.

"That means a lot to me. This is my community. I grew up here, and I'm going to be here probably my entire life. Whatever I can do to make this place better, I'm willing to do."

To ensure that happens, he says he plans to including another critical ingredient to achieving his goals: parents.

It's one reason why Kapsa says he's keeping at least one page from Zimmerman's playbook: a monthly "parent meeting," where he'll sit down and just listen to what's important to them.

As for a timeline on the new contract, Kapsa says lawyers are still hammering out the final details. He did commit to at least one thing.

"Money will not hold up a final deal. I'm more concerned with getting the job done," he said.