On Wednesday, Shawnee Mission School District superintendent Jim Hinson announced he will retire on June 30, 2017.
"This decision will allow me to spend more time with my family, and pursue other lifelong goals," he said in a statement.
Read the full statement below:
"After 34 years in public education, with 28 of those serving as an administrator, I've decided to retire effective June 30, 2017. This decision will allow me to spend more time with my family, and pursue other lifelong goals.I'm extremely thankful I've had the opportunity to work with each one of you. You are a tremendous team, and I admire the dedication and talent I see every day. Thank you for all you do for the district and our students.In addition, the board, administrators and employees of this fine district have provided me with terrific support over my tenure. I'm proud of the district and what it is today; and feel confident that the dedicated board members and talented leadership team will continue to ensure that Shawnee Mission remains one of the very best school districts."
Hinson served in public education for 34 years, 28 of them as an administrator.
"I'm extremely thankful I've had the opportunity to work with each of you," he said in a statement. "I admire the dedication and talent I see every day."
The school board will develop a leadership transition plan, which will include appointing an interim superintendent, according to the president of the board of education Sara Goodburn.
NEA Shawnee Mission President Linda Sieck told 41 Action News she had a conversation with Hinson a few weeks ago about the possibility but didn't find out for certain until a staff email went out.
"In the midst of implementing a ten-year plan and all the initiatives that are going on in the district, you would like to think leadership would stay constant but in the education business everything is changing," she said.
For Sieck, it's important the school board finds an interim and permanent replacement who value a partnership with the teachers union.
"We really want to work to maintain that relationship and then as a new superintendent comes on board we are really hoping there is a desire from that person to work with the teachers union," she added.
The Shawnee Mission Area Council PTA sent 41 Action News the following statement regarding Hinson's resignation:
On behalf of the Shawnee Mission Area Council PTA, we thank Dr. Hinson for his service and commitment to our students and the SMSD community. During his tenure, district administrators and PTA units successfully collaborated and worked well together for the benefit of our students.
We wish him the best in the future and look forward to our district continuing it’s legacy of excellence.
Thank you,
Tash Davis, Shawnee Mission Area Council PTA President
