Though the number of superintendents on the move is slowing, there were still some big hires in K12 in the last week.
Tiffany Spicer, superintendent of the Buna Independent School District in Texas, has been chosen unanimously as the lone finalist to become the next leader of Waco ISD. Spicer has been an administrator for 17 years and served in districts ranging from 1,500 students to 40,000 students.
“I am committed to collaborative leadership with the staff, district, community, board of trustees, and other major stakeholders under the umbrella of transparency, cooperation, and mutual trust,” Spicer said.
Superintendent turnover: New data show reasons for recent moves
Amy Gayheart has been promoted to superintendent of the district from which she graduated, Fairborn City Schools near Dayton, Ohio. Gayheart is now Fairborn’s assistant superintendent and has worked for the district for 26 years, having also been a high school principal and the director of educational services.
Prince George County Public Schools in Virginia named Douglas Wayne Lyle its next superintendent. Lyle most recently served as Danville Public Schools’ chief operations officer since 2021 and has worked in districts in Franklin, Bedford, Montgomery and Amherst counties.
Stephanie Stewart has also been promoted, from elementary school principal to superintendent of MSD of Mt. Vernon in Indiana.
Superintendents on the Move: Retirements
A superintendent with more longevity than most will step down at the end of the school year. Superintendent Kurt Weyers will retire in June after leading Wisconsin’s Ashwaubenon School District for the past 17 years. “Under his leadership, the district has consistently excelled in academic performance, student well-being, and community engagement,” Ashwaubenon said on its Facebook page.
Other superintendents who announced their plans to retire:
- Joe Burns will retire from Copperas Cove ISD (Texas) on Dec. 31.
- Fred Dierksen will retire from Dodge City Public Schools at the end of the school year.
- Crystal Edwards will retire from Lynchburg City Schools (Virginia) at the end of the school year.
- Susan Morton has retired from Hawkins ISD (Texas).
