Death threats stemming from a controversy over the rebranding of a Kansas district’s tiger mascot has led to the departure of Superintendent Jason Crawford from Jefferson West Public Schools USD 340, WIBW reported.
Crawford, who was just hired in the summer of 2022, told the station that the threats had been directed at him and his family. Opponents claimed there was a lack of transparency around the selection of the district’s new logo.
“The winds of change will not dissipate anytime soon, as every community in Kansas will begin fighting for their core values and the future of their small communities as we see a new chapter we have never seen in Kansas public education unfold,” Crawford warned in a letter to district families.
At a meeting earlier this year, Crawford said that recruiting staff was a key reason for the rebranding. “It’s helping us tell our story,” he said, according to WIBW. “When I arrived at the district … we had multiple logos that were hard to replicate. Others would say, ‘You know what, that tiger looks a lot like a local restaurant here.'”
Turnover in Texas
The United Independent School District in Texas is moving to terminate the contract of Superintendent David Gonzalez, who has faced allegations of harassing an employee, according to the Laredo Morning Times. Gonzalez, who was hired in 2021, was placed on leave in August, KGNS reported.
In the same state, Flour Bluff Independent School District Superintendent Velma Soliz-Garcia has announced her “retirement and resignation” after nearly four years in charge and 36 years in education, the Caller-Times reported. Soliz-Garcia will work as a district advisor through the end of January.
She has also been a superintendent, assistant superintendent, director, principal, assistant principal, teacher and classroom aide in the Mathis, Sinton, Ysleta, and Corpus Christi ISDs.
Several superintendents from elsewhere in the country have announced plans to retire at the end of the school year, including:
- Andrew Davis, Audubon Public School District (New Jersey)
- Bruce Law, Township High School District 113 (Illinois)
- Kristen Rickey, West Delaware County Community School District (Iowa)
- Maria Vidaurri, Sharyland ISD (Texas)
- Dan Zorn, Longview School District (Washington)
3 superintendents find new homes
Gwinn Area Community Schools in Michigan has chosen Sara Croney as its next superintendent. Croney was most recently superintendent and director of curriculum and instruction of the School District of Maple in Wisconsin.
Get on Board: How 2 superintendents reach out to school board candidates
In Nebraska, Matt Fisher, who had been serving as interim superintendent of Grand Island Public Schools, was made the district’s permanent leader. Fisher was previously superintendent of Northwest Public Schools, KFXL reported.
Dave Moyer, who has 14 years of experience as superintendent, has been hired to lead the Northport-East Northport Union Free School District on New York’s Long Island. He is currently the superintendent of the Arlington Central School District in LaGrangeville, New York, and will take his new post on Jan. 2.
Finally, in an internal promotion, Assistant Superintendent Karin Patenaude has been chosen to take the helm of Greenfield Public Schools when Superintendent Christine DeBarge retires in July, according to the Greenfield Recorder.
