IUSD Superintendent to Retire

The IUSD community got a surprise in their email inbox Friday; an announcement that school superintendent Gail Gross has decided to retire.  Dr. Gross has done an extraordinary job maintaining the quality of Irvine’s highly regarded schools with no help from elected state legislators more interested in maintaining the party line than helping Irvine get its fair share of state education dollars.

Here is the content of the email:

Dear IUSD community member,

Like our favorite books, all careers have a beginning, a middle and an end. After much thought and reflection, I have decided that this year will mark my final chapter as superintendent, and I have appropriately notified the Board of Education of my intent to retire in June.

My life in public education has been a thrill ride that has lasted nearly 40 years, and I am particularly proud to finish it in the Irvine Unified School District. I don’t have to tell you that this is a special place, full of dedicated professionals who have built world-class schools with wisdom, foresight and hard work. The spirit of this district was established long ago under founding superintendent Stan Corey, and I know it will endure with future generations of passionate educators.

I also know that the time is right for me to step down. My husband, Jerry, has been retired for several years now, and we have so many new memories to create with a family that includes two beautiful grandchildren.

Of course there are always bittersweet feelings associated with a pending retirement. But I can make plans with the satisfaction and confidence that the Irvine Unified School District is in great hands. This district is guided by five of the finest Board of Education members I’ve ever worked with, and their insight is among the reasons we are on solid financial footing relative to other school systems. Moreover, IUSD has a tremendous leadership team in place, and it goes without saying that we have the most talented staff and the most committed families.

In time, a new superintendent will join this dream team. As is customary, I will not be actively involved in the selection process, yet I know this district will do its due diligence with a comprehensive search that will yield candidates of the highest caliber.

I can tell you it has truly been a pleasure to work with you, but now is not the time for sad goodbyes. We have more than six months left in the 2010-11 school year, and there’s plenty of work to be done on behalf of our 27,000 students. Nevertheless, please allow me to take this opportunity to thank you once again for supporting education in Irvine.

Sincerely,

Gwen E. Gross, Ph.D.

Superintendent of Schools

Irvine Unified School District 

Dear IUSD community member,

 

Like our favorite books, all careers have a beginning, a middle and an end. After much thought and reflection, I have decided that this year will mark my final chapter as superintendent, and I have appropriately notified the Board of Education of my intent to retire in June.

 

My life in public education has been a thrill ride that has lasted nearly 40 years, and I am particularly proud to finish it in the Irvine Unified School District. I don’t have to tell you that this is a special place, full of dedicated professionals who have built world-class schools with wisdom, foresight and hard work. The spirit of this district was established long ago under founding superintendent Stan Corey, and I know it will endure with future generations of passionate educators.

 

I also know that the time is right for me to step down. My husband, Jerry, has been retired for several years now, and we have so many new memories to create with a family that includes two beautiful grandchildren.

 

Of course there are always bittersweet feelings associated with a pending retirement. But I can make plans with the satisfaction and confidence that the Irvine Unified School District is in great hands. This district is guided by five of the finest Board of Education members I’ve ever worked with, and their insight is among the reasons we are on solid financial footing relative to other school systems. Moreover, IUSD has a tremendous leadership team in place, and it goes without saying that we have the most talented staff and the most committed families.

 

In time, a new superintendent will join this dream team. As is customary, I will not be actively involved in the selection process, yet I know this district will do its due diligence with a comprehensive search that will yield candidates of the highest caliber.

 

I can tell you it has truly been a pleasure to work with you, but now is not the time for sad goodbyes. We have more than six months left in the 2010-11 school year, and there’s plenty of work to be done on behalf of our 27,000 students. Nevertheless, please allow me to take this opportunity to thank you once again for supporting education in Irvine.

 

Sincerely,

 

Gwen E. Gross, Ph.D.

Superintendent of Schools

Irvine Unified School District

 

The district has a number of bright and rising administrators who are smart and talented, and have the benefit of knowing the district and its many publics.  I’d love to see our trustees hire the best available replacement and I’d love to see them promote from within.