Decatur Schools To Look For New Superintendent

After less than one year on the job, MSD Decatur Township Superintendent is leaving that post.  In an email to employees, Sullivan sited personal reasons for stepping down.  In addition, she appears to say she will remain on staff, but no mention of the exact position is given.

Sullivan was selected without a search by the outgoing School Board last Spring.  Many in the community want a real search with public interviews and input this time around.

Here is Sullivan's statement:

Decatur Team, 

I am writing this evening to share with you my discussion with our School Board members earlier tonight.  

After a great deal of thought and for personal reasons, I have made the decision to retire at the end of this school year.  

I am very proud of the accomplishments made during our Learner-Centered journey, and attribute our success to the efforts of all our dedicated staff members and student families. I am grateful to have been given the opportunity to spend my career of 28 years in Decatur Township.  

I know that with our excellent staff and supportive families, Decatur’s Journey will continue to provide bright futures for our student learners. With the leaders and learners we have at Decatur, I leave with the knowledge that Decatur will achieve new heights not yet dreamed of.  

No one could ask for a greater honor than I have received by working with professionals who give their minds, hearts, and careers to our children. Please know that I will continue working alongside you with the same focus and diligence, and ask for your support as our School Board determines the leadership for the next great step in our journey. Our Board is very focused on next steps and it is their hope to make an announcement prior to the end of the school year.

Respectfully,

Debbie 

Don Stinson Announces Retirement

From a press release dated March 14, 2012...

MSD Decatur Superintendent, Don Stinson, announced his retirement at Tuesday's board meeting.  The retirement is apparently effective June 30.  The Board immediately and unanimously voted to put Dr. Debra Sullivan as his replacement.

This says yet again to the Decatur community, that the Board does not care what you think.  Every other Superintendent replacement has an open, community involved, search.  Since Sullivan has been the steward of debatable educational improvements all these years as Stinson's right arm, it bogs the district down with stale old ideas.

The agenda did not advertise the Superintendent vote, so Decaturites had absolutely no chance to weigh in.