Spokane7
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December 15, 2011 in City
Spokane Schools chief leaving in June
Stowell has worked for district for 40 years
Stowell
(Full-size photo)
Spokane Public Schools Superintendent Nancy Stowell announced her resignation at the school board meeting Wednesday night. Her last day will be June 30.
Stowell has worked in the district for more than 40 years, and became interim superintendent in 2007 and superintendent in 2008 after a national search.
“I have experienced an incredible journey from my earliest days as a high school teacher in western Washington to this current position as superintendent,” Stowell said in an email to staff on Wednesday. “Working with all of you and the leaders in this community has been exceptionally rewarding.”
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DickAdams on December 15 at 7:45 a.m.
Too bad the same thing can`t be said about the students i. e. exceptionally rewarding, as the improvement in Americas standing world wide shows so many countries far a head of the US. What`s learned relatively speaking, continues to lack improvement in most instances . I`ll tell one thing that is improving big time, SPORTS. Check the amount of money spent for sports versus academia.
survivalguy on December 15 at 8:20 a.m.
In a down economy, why does someone give up a $200,000+ a year job? Clearly, time will have to pass for us to learn Nancy Stowell’s motivations for departure at this point in time.
The only downsides to Stowell’s departure are the timing (Please leave NOW),and fact that her bloated teacher-micromanaging staff are not departing with her.
Good by – and good riddance!
Al_Loysius on December 15 at 10:56 a.m.
She could run for Governor or Senator, but she would have to take a pay cut.
lillyhancock on December 15 at 3:19 p.m.
@survivalguy… Now that’s a GREAT question! It sure makes a person wonder what’s REALLY going on at District 81 headquarters!
And… for the bad news… the new superintendent will be picked by the School Board. That can only mean business as usual!
The_Seer on December 15 at 5:13 p.m.
@survivalguy: I agree mostly with your sentiments about Stowell and the downtown apparatchik, but it would also be nice to see us weed out our poor performing colleagues as in days past.
My guess with her dismal performance as a Superintendent (and probably as a teacher as well since the best ones NEVER become administrators) Stowell will soon be accepting an appointment in the Gregoire administration. Or something like that.
GSLFan on December 15 at 5:13 p.m.
Dick - you are incorrect to the extent that extracurricular activities including athletics is being cut left and right.
You may argue about the outrageous salaries paid to collegiate head coaches and I would tend to agree with you. But athletes in middle school and high school show higher academic achievement than their counterparts who do not participate in athletics.
Further, keeping kids involved with athletic teams keeps them occupied between the notorious hours of 3 and 5 pm when most parents are still at work. As a parent, I would most certainly rather be content know my child is at practice rather than practicing something he/she should not be doing with other kids at 15 to 18 years of age.
And I challenge you to put up the numbers of dollars spent on athletics versus that of academics. High school coaches are lucky to make minimum wage based on the hours they must devote to their teams.
The schools should be pumping MORE money into athletics and music and drama to allow kids positive experiences and association. Cutting a few more $200K’ish salaries at the admin building to do it would be just fine by me.
The_Seer on December 15 at 5:13 p.m.
Any guesses the last time dickadams was in a classroom?
Was the car invented yet?
survivalguy on December 15 at 5:58 p.m.
@lillyhancock
The Superintendent is always chosen by the Board here. It is unfortunate, yet it is the way-it-is…
I feel confident, however, that our newest Board Director, along with the rest of the Board, will check with the SEA before she votes to hire whomever…
??Riddler?? on December 15 at 9:25 p.m.
?? survivalguy ??
?? “The Superintendent is always chosen by the board here.” ??
?? And the alternative is ??
?? Direct election? Like the Board??
?? And we elect the Board to perform menial tasks like choosing the Supt??
?? So, if we have a crappy Supt, it’s the Board’s fault because we elect them ??
?? Doh ??