Dr. Melody Smith is stepping down as the Superintendent of the St Joseph School District.
Dr. Smith gave the school board six month’s notice, announcing she will step down effective June 30, 2013.
The district will have time to conduct a search and hire a new superintendent in time for the beginning of the 2013-14 school year, which begins July 1.
“Being the Superintendent has been extremely rewarding and challenging, both professionally and personally,” said Dr. Smith in a news release.
“I believe we accomplished a great many positive things; however, I know that there is a great deal still remaining to be accomplished. That is what is so challenging about this job.”
Smith is a career educator. She has been with the school district since 1988, serving as a teach, an assistant principal, as Director of Secondary Education and Superintendent for about seven years. She holds a doctorate from the University of Missouri, an education specialist degree and a master of science degree from Northwest Missouri State University. She has a bachelor’s degree from Missouri Western State University, of which she is a “Distinguished Alumna.”
As Superintendent, Dr. Smith helped lead an 18-month community engagement process – PACT (Planning A Course Together) – that resulted in a long range facilities plan as well as recommendations regarding staffing, early childhood education, safety, finance, technology and continued engagement.
During her tenure as Superintendent, the community approved bond issue, with no tax increase, to build two new elementary schools – the first in approximately 40 years, and voters renewed a temporary operating levy.
The President of the Board of Education, Dr. Dan Colgan, said that making the decision to step aside as Superintendent is a difficult one. Dr. Colgan served as Superintendent here for approximately 14 years.
“From personal experience, I know how hard it is to make that decision,” he said. “We appreciate the fact that Dr. Smith made it in a timely enough fashion that we will be able to recruit a replacement.”