Oxford will soon be in the market for a new superintendent of schools.
In a Feb. 8 letter of resignation to school board President Colleen Schultz, Superintendent Virginia Brennan-Kyro announced her decision to retire effective June 30.
‘After much thought and consideration, I have decided to retire from public education after 34 years of service,? she wrote. ‘The past seven years, although challenging at times, have clearly been the most rewarding and satisfying of my career.?
School board members accepted her resignation at their Feb. 13 meeting.
‘I’m happy for her,? Schultz told this reporter. ‘She’s done a great job. She’s worked very hard.?
‘We’ll miss her, but I’m glad for her. She served the people and the kids of Oxford well,? added the school board president.
‘For me, it’s just really the right time,? said Brennan-Kyro, who will turn 56 in June. ‘It’s time for me to slow down to the speed of light.?
Economics played a big role in her decision to retire. It seems the annual ritual of making budget cuts has made the job Brennan-Kyro’s held since July 2000 more of a chore than a joy lately.
‘It’s no fun anymore,? she said. ‘I didn’t become an educator or an administrator to focus so much of my time on ways to reduce expenditures, cut the budget, cut programs. It’s not why I got involved.?
Brennan-Kyro said she wishes the district was in a place financially where she could ‘add, expand and grow programs and opportunities for kids.?
‘If the economic conditions were different, I probably wouldn’t have retired,? she explained. ‘That was a big part of it.?
Never one to dwell on the negative, Brennan-Kyro said she’s proud of the many things she’s accomplished here in Oxford. Chief among her points of pride was improving professional relationships in the district by increasing trust and cooperation when it came to negotiations.
‘Out? was the traditional, adversarial form of negotiating ? the old us versus them. ‘In? was an informal ‘collaborative process,? which consisted of using the ‘team approach? ? ‘how do we solve this together? ? to create ‘win-win? situations for everyone.
‘That has been very satisying for me because it is very different than many other districts,? she said.
Brennan-Kyro’s quite proud of the community’s support of the bond issue in September 2001, which allowed for construction of a new high school complete with Performing Arts Center and indoor swimming pool.
She’s also proud of all the administrators and teachers she’s ‘mentored? to ‘help them reach their potential? and all the instances where she’s seen the ‘lightbulb? go off inside an at-risk kid’s head whenever he or she has truly learned their lesson after being disciplined.
Other points of pride for the superintendent include the number and ‘caliber of professionals? she’s been able to hire for the district and the fact that students? ‘achievement scores have continued to improve.?
After spending 30 of her 34 years as an administrator in various districts, Brennan-Kyro said she’s ‘absolutely loved? being Oxford’s superintendent ‘the most.?
‘I’m just amazed at how fast it went by,? she noted.
Brennan-Kyro plans to spend her retirement traveling with her husband, who’s been retired for 14 years, gardening and cooking. She also plans to become more active in the Romeo Historical Society, which operates three museums, and Romeo’s Monday Club, which raises money for fine arts scholarships for high school students.
Brennan-Kyro probably won’t be involved in the search for her resplacement. ‘Typically, the superintendent is really not actively involved in the process,? she noted.
However, she said, ‘Certainly if I’m asked to assist in some way, I’d be more than happy to.?
When asked what the school board should look for in a new superintendent, Brennan-Kyro replied, ‘Someone who’s a really good listener.?
‘You have to be able to truly listen to the issues or concerns from parents, from staff, from the board,? she said.
Her replacement also needs to be a ‘decision-maker.?
‘It’s not always a popular position so you need someone who can analyze information, who’s strong enough to make a decision and make sure the decisions hold,? Brennan-Kyro said.
Someone who has a ‘strong financial backgroud? and ‘understands the whole picture? when it comes to state funding and budgets wouldn’t hurt either.
‘The people and relationships I’ve built? in Oxford is what Brennan-Kyro said she’ll miss most followed by Friday night football. ‘I’m gonna miss that, but I can always come back for a game,? she said.