Adams 12 Superintendent Mike Paskewicz leaving for Michigan
August 4th, 2009
Adams 12 Five Star School District announced that Superintendent Mike Paskewicz will be leaving his post to move to Michigan.
Adams 12 Five Star School District announced late yesterday that superintendent Mike Paskewicz will be leaving the district effective October 1 to return to his home state of Michigan. Paskewicz was offered and accepted a similar position with Northview Public Schools in Grand Rapids, Michigan. His leaving is hardly a surprise as his hunt for a job that would allow him to return to his roots in Michigan was well known.
While I certainly have my differences with Adams 12 – many of which have been documented on this site – it is hard to argue with the leadership Paskewicz provided during his six year tenure. With few exceptions, he has been a strong leader and advocate for the education of our young people and is well respected in the community. It is a loss for the district and a loss for our children.
Paskewicz sent an email to the district’s teachers and employees yesterday announcing his decision and we have obtained a copy for you to read:
Special Issues
August 3, 2009Dear Colleagues and Opinion Leaders,
Hello and welcome to the 2009/10 school year. I hope this email finds you rested and rejuvenated. I, too, just returned from an enjoyable family vacation. As it turned out it was a bit more than just my typical
vacation.Most of you know that all of my family and Ruth’s family lives in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Last September, I lost my mom and when I went back home for the funeral, I was reminded, in very stark terms, just how strong the pull of family is for me. As I have shared with you over the past six years, family is the only ball that shouldn’t be dropped.
That is why when I was approached about the superintendency of the Northview Public Schools in Grand Rapids, Ruth and I seriously considered the position. After numerous interviews over the past two weeks, I have been offered and have accepted that position. I’ve been in constant contact with board president Cindy Dascher throughout this process and I will be asking the board to release me from my current contract as of October 1, 2009. There is nothing pushing Ruth and me out of the district/community. The pull of family and this professional opportunity are the only reasons we have decided to make the move at this time.
As a district, we have made remarkable gains related to accelerating student academic achievement and nurturing their social development by keeping our focus and working together. You will continue to reap the rewards of your efforts after my departure. The Board of Education and you have made learning a priority. That will not change with new leadership.
The position of Superintendent of the Adams 12 Five Star Schools will attract very qualified candidates (internal and external) as the district is well respected locally and nationally. The Board of Education has already met to begin developing its search and recruitment process. They will meet again this coming Wednesday to formally discuss the search options.
This is a process owned by the Board of Education and I know you will fully support the Board as it conducts this process. Your Board shares the same focus and sense of collaboration as you do, and they will find a highly effective leader for the Five Star District. Look for leadership search process updates on our web page www.adams12.org.
All of this simply highlights the importance of your leadership at all levels of the organization. Moving forward and continuing to make gains in student achievement is an expectation in this district far greater and more encompassing than the matter of who serves as superintendent. That is one of the things that makes this district so special – we have a high quality of leadership throughout the district. I have seen the extraordinary work you do every day because you know what needs to be done and you have the intellect and savvy to do it well.
I have complete faith in you and our Board of Education to continue this march forward, building on the quality work you’ve done over the past six years. You make our community proud. I know that won’t change. I appreciate each and every one of you for allowing me to join you on this journey. I am a better professional and person because of our time together.
Thank you. Make this the best year yet.
Sincerely and With Deep Respect,
Mike
Michael F. Paskewicz, Ed.D.
Superintendent, Adams 12 Five Star Schools
1500 E. 128th Ave
Thornton, Colorado 80241
720-972-4001
Related:
You should do some checking… Have you noticed that Paskewicz’s date to leave the district is now October 15th instead of the 1st as it was originally announced? Rumor has it that it was extended so he could collect a $50K longevity bonus. If that is true, then this is another example of Adams 12 soaking the taxpayers.