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Friday, 09 May 2008 |
By KAY LOUTH
Staff Writer
ST. MARYS — St. Marys School District Superintendent Ken Baker announced Wednesday his intention to retire — ending an almost five-year tenure as the district’s top administrator.
Baker first shared the news with school administrators and then with faculty and staff throughout the St. Marys School District. He is retiring as a superintendent but will remain in education as the Associate Executive Director of the State Principal’s Association.
“Basically what this association does is service the needs of over 2,500 secondary principals in Ohio,” Baker told The Evening Leader. “We provide counseling, advice, conferences and workshops. I’ll be a lobbyist at times with the state legislature, too. Mostly it’s about providing service to administrators in their day-to-day work.”
Baker spent 21 years as a principal before taking the superintendent’s job at St. Marys. He also served as the state president of the principal’s association.
Baker said he was solicited for the position by a long time colleague who held the position that Baker is assuming. Baker said his colleague is assuming the executive director’s position as the current executive director is retiring. He called Baker and asked if he was interested in the associate director’s position.
Baker met with the association’s leadership and last week they called and offered Baker the job.
“The timing is very good for me,” Baker said. “These positions only come open about every 10 years. I couldn’t pass it up.”
Baker told The Evening Leader he had several options to consider since he is eligible for retirement.
He said he declined to retire and then get rehired as he believed the community has expressed resentment at that situation in the past.
With a renewal of an operating levy on the ballot this fall, Baker said he did not want hard feelings about a retire/rehire situation.
“The last thing I want to do is polarize the community over a retire/rehire (situation),” Baker said. “I was also not interested in being a superintendent anywhere but here in St. Marys.”
Baker said his other option included going into a different field — but said he loves the education field and wanted to stay connected to it.
“I also feel I wanted to keep working and keep working in education,” Baker said. “I always had a passion for the principalship and this will allow me to counsel principals throughout the state of Ohio.”
Baker said he plans to stay on board as members of the St. Marys Board of Education search for his replacement.
“Obviously I want to be available in the transition of a new superintendent,” Baker said, noting he does have some flexibility with his new position. “That’s why I let them know sooner rather than later.”
Baker said the building project is the focus of the community but there have a number of important events since his arrival Baker said he is proud of accomplishing.
Those included the creation of the strategic plan and the district’s improved report card.
“I feel our district is in better situation than four and a half years ago when I applied,” Baker said. “So much thanks goes to the community and the quality teachers,” he said.
While his new office will be in Columbus, Baker said he and his wife plan on keeping their St. Marys home. Baker also said he plans to return to St. Marys whenever possible.
“I’m excited for Ken and the opportunity for him to move into the private sector,” School Board President Ralph Wiley said. “He’s been a valuable asset to the district.”
“I’m proud to have worked with Ken,” he said. “Under his tenure our school has continued the tradition of providing outstanding educational services for our community. His accomplishments are too numerous to list and he will be missed.”’
Board member Craig Gottschalk expressed his regret at losing Baker. Gottschalk called Baker a friend and a wonderful superintendent.
“A part of me is disappointed because I think he does a wonderful job and I’m sad to see him go, but I’m not going to fault anyone for advancing himself,” Gottschalk said. “I’m sad to see him go and I wish him luck. I’m glad we had him as long as we did and we were able to accomplish a lot while he was here.”
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Last Updated ( Wednesday, 14 May 2008 )
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