A Last Thank You

Dear SAU 70 School Community,

 

I am writing with mixed feelings of mild anxiety, deep gratitude, and great excitement to formally announce my decision to retire as superintendent just prior to the beginning of the coming 2025-26 school year. Please know that I'm not retiring because I'm tired of or frustrated with my job, but rather, having just passed the age 60 milestone, I'm suddenly aware that according to the Social Security Administration's actuarial tables, the odds are about 50/50 that I'll be around to celebrate my soon-to-arrive granddaughter's 21st birthday. I have so much to do in the next 20 years, and no idea how long I'll have the physical and cognitive ability to do much of it. Additionally, developments in public education in both of our states and nationally are driving me to engage in policy debates in a manner that will not reflect the balance and restraint you should expect from a superintendent of schools. All of that said, I am truly grateful for the trust and confidence that you placed in me by allowing me to serve as your superintendent.

 

My family and I moved here eight years ago because we love this place, and because I hoped to experience working in a school system without the challenges of chronic underfunding and youth violence. I imagined schools with ample resources, engaged students, and supportive parents. I imagined teachers who could focus more on teaching and learning and less on classroom management. I imagined children going home to safe neighborhoods free of gunfire and food insecurity. I have not been disappointed. I am so grateful to have been a part of this very real school system that is all that I imagined and more. At the same time, I'm even more painfully aware of the reality that exists in so many schools outside of our "bubble."

 

When I began my work here as superintendent in 2017, many staff and community members put me on notice that our school system is built on strong tradition and even stronger resistance to change. Our well-documented history of academic success begged the question, "If it ain't broke, why fix it?" Nevertheless, I've long believed that we can always improve, and in public education, I feel that if we know we can improve, we have a moral obligation to do so. In the past eight years, despite the pandemic, our school boards, teachers, administrators, and support staff have made remarkable progress. Much of that work has involved community engagement and includes strategic planning, a climate action plan, an equity policy, and major upgrades to our IT infrastructure and athletic facilities. Less visible, but equally important strides have been made in curriculum development and documentation, district operations, and evaluation and supervision.

 

Very little of that work would have happened without the knowledge, skill, kindness, and determination of Robin Steiner, our Assistant Superintendent. In leadership transitions, context is important. If our districts were academically deficient, administratively directionless, or socially chaotic, I think we would all agree that a new leader, a change agent, would be needed. Thanks in large part to Robin, that is not our context. Robin has worked diligently with our teachers and administrators on everything from curriculum to emergency planning. On her first day in our SAU, she took on the unfortunate title of COVID Coordinator and proceeded to lead us confidently through the pandemic with her team of doctors, nurses, principals, and emergency management officials. Now, as I retire earlier than I had planned, I have no doubt that Robin will rise to this new challenge with the same dedication and enthusiasm.

 

I mentioned my mixed feelings earlier. I feel mild, or maybe moderate anxiety because the decision to "retire" means leaving active duty in the field I've worked in for most of my adult life, and trusting that my wife and I have saved enough to live well without a paycheck. I feel great excitement because I've put off so many of the non-work things that I like to do, have avoided being too strident in my public education advocacy, and still have the interest and energy to do all of those things. My adult children have all gravitated to our area and have started families of their own, so I'm beyond excited to spend time with my growing family. Having been a superintendent for the past 18 years, I've missed a lot in their lives, but am so eager to make up for lost time.

 

My deep sense of gratitude should come as no surprise, because I intentionally share it at a frequency that I hope falls just short of annoying. Public education is a critical civic enterprise that works best when everyone involved works together to do the best we can for our community's children. I've never known a community that values, appreciates, and supports its schools as much as you do, and I will never be able to adequately thank you for welcoming me and my family to be a part of it.

Gratefully,

 

Jay Badams