CHARLOTTESVILLE — Despite having two more years on her contract with Eastern Hancock schools, Superintendent Vicki McGuire has decided to step down effective at the end of the month.
She made the announcement on the district’s social media site Tuesday evening with a brief statement thanking the community that said, “Just a quick note to let you know I am retiring as of July 31, 2019.”
The decision to leave the district is a personal one, McGuire said, and had nothing to do with the school district or corporation employees she’s come to appreciate and care about. Still, McGuire’s decision to leave the district with so much time on her contract — which expires, June 30, 2021 — and with the start of a new a school year rapidly approaching, took school board officials somewhat by surprise, they said.
McGuire, 60, noted that her family lives in southeastern Indiana, in Versailles, about 65 miles from Charlottesville.
“When you start assessing everything and thinking about what’s important in your life, I started thinking, it’s time for me to do it — to retire and spend more time with my grandkids,” McGuire said.
School board president Scott Petry said he understands McGuire’s decision and wasn’t completely surprised when he learned she would be retiring.
“She had discussed it a little bit, and I think she was just at that point in her career with her husband being retired, and having a desire to travel, she just got to a point where she felt it was time,” Petry said.
The school board is scheduled to meet for a public session at 4 p.m. Friday, July 19, with an executive session to follow at 4:30 p.m. The meetings will take place at the district’s administrative offices, 10370 E. County Road 250N. The superintendent’s position is expected to be the main topic of discussion.
Petry believes the board will more than likely opt to bring in an interim superintendent. That will allow the board to do a more detailed search to find a permanent replacement. However, McGuire told the board she is willing to help out in any way she can until her replacement is found, if her help is needed.
“We’re in great shape and have a phenomenal staff, so there’s no hurry to find a replacement,” Petry said.
Board member Scott Johnson echoed Petry’s views, saying while it was a bit of a shock, he understood McGuire’s point of view. He already is thinking about her replacement.
“We’re going to be looking for someone who will continue to make sure Eastern Hancock schools are going in the right direction,” said Johnson, an Eastern High School graduate.
While it would be nice to hire someone with plans for a long career in the district, Johnson said there is no ill will toward McGuire for leaving because the board understands people’s needs change over time.
McGuire has been superintendent for 3½ years.
“You always want someone who is going to stick around a long time, but sometimes things happen and there are just things you can’t predict,” Johnson said.
For McGuire, who’s been working since she was 14 years old, it will be difficult leaving behind a job she’s loved doing every day. McGuire became involved in education when she was 32 years-old and worked hard to reach her current position, she said, making her way from the classroom to the administration building.
She said she’ll stay involved in community activities in Versailles and might even end up substitute teaching occasionally.
“I’m sure I’ll be doing something in education,” she said. “I’m not really one of those people who can do nothing.”
McGuire joined Eastern Hancock on Jan. 1, 2016, and earns $106,000 a year. During her tenure, the district made several infrastructure improvements, and the district continued its good record of performance while she was superintendent.
“What I’m really going to miss are all the ballgames, and the hospitality from this great community,” McGuire said. “They’ve been amazing.”
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The Eastern Hancock School Board is scheduled to meet at 4 p.m. Friday, July 19, with an executive session to follow at 4:30 p.m. The meetings will take place at the district’s administrative offices, 10370 E. County Road 250N. The board is expected to discuss the departure of Superintendent Vicki McGuire and plans for finding a new superintendent.
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