Gillett Elementary School Principal Tammy Lipsey and Special Education Director Brian Grill have resigned.
The School Board accepted their resignations Thursday.
“We would have loved to keep them both,” Superintendent Todd Carlson said. “They’re both quality people.
“It’s a loss. What those two did was remarkable. But we’re going to move forward.”
Lipsey, who had been with the district four years, will be principal at Freedom Elementary School. Her last day in Gillett is July 31.
“I will miss the smiles and laughter that the students brought with them to school each day,” she wrote in her resignation letter. “Their curiosity, insight and good humor has enriched my life.”
She also thanked her co-workers, saying families of the students are fortunate to have such a dedicated staff.
“I have been truly amazed by the selflessness of my elementary staff as they approach the ever growing responsibilities of a teacher in education,” she wrote.
Carlson said the district will look for a candidate who will to continue the success Lipsey helped create at the elementary school. The school earned the Wisconsin Title 1 School of Recognition award for three consecutive years. The award recognizes academic achievement and success in high-poverty districts.
The school also received the award in the Beating the Odds category in 2013-2014 by having academic scores in the top 25 percent of high-poverty school districts of the state.
“Statistically, students with low economic status don’t usually do as well, but Tammy continued on with the success of the school,” Carlson said.
“The work she did was very valuable. She did a wonderful job,” said Miles Winkler, School Board president.
The district posted the elementary school principal position Friday and plans to fill the vacancy as soon as possible.
Grill will become director of special education/pupil services in Arcadia. In his resignation letter, he said he accepted the new position because he wanted to settle down in that area of the state. His final day was July 11.
“Brian brought a great caring and understanding of student needs, making sure they had what they needed to succeed,” Carlson said.
Carlson said the district has some options with Grill’s position.
“The special ed position might be a shared responsibility, depending on the hire,” he said. “We also have the option to use CESA 8.”
CESA 8 directed the special education department until three years ago, when Gillett brought it in-house. Lipsey was assigned some of the special education responsibilities, in addition to her role as elementary school principal.
“It was too much,” Winkler said, and Grill was hired before the 2013-2014 school year.
Categories
