From Staff Reports and Wire Reports
After four-and-a-half successful years as superintendent of Birmingham City Schools, Dr. Craig Witherspoon announced his resignation, effective December 31, 2014.
During his time as superintendent a lot of progress has been made to help transform Birmingham City Schools. The Birmingham Board of Education is currently planning for Dr. Witherspoon’s succession following this announcement.
The Birmingham BOE released this statement on the news:
“Today we have received and accepted the resignation of our School Board Superintendent Dr. Craig Witherspoon. His resignation will be effective December 31, 2014. The entire board would like to thank Dr. Witherspoon for his service and hard work to the Birmingham School System, and the entire City of Birmingham.
During the next ninety days, the School Board will begin establishing a succession plan that will ensure that the Birmingham School System has an outstanding leader and that our children will continue to receive a world class education.”
State Superintendent Dr. Tommy Bice released this statement on Witherspoon’s resignation:
“The Birmingham Board of Education has been in regular contact with me regarding Dr. Witherspoon’s resignation. I, along with the Birmingham Board, thank Dr. Witherspoon for his service and wish him well in his future endeavors.
Much has been accomplished since our initial state intervention and we will continue work with the Birmingham Board to ensure a smooth transition in leadership with a laser focus on acceleration of student learning, programmatic innovation and financial stability.”
Read on for Witherspoon’s full statement:
Today, I announce that I am resigning as Superintendent of Birmingham City Schools effective December 31, 2014. This decision will allow me to pursue other opportunities, and gives the Board of Education the time needed to make a smooth transition as it searches for a new superintendent.
In the past four years as Superintendent for Birmingham City Schools I have gained 24,500 great memories I can take along with me the rest of my professional journey. I thank this board, our parents, community members, and our students for allowing me the wonderful opportunity to serve as superintendent.
When I reflect on my time as superintendent, I recount the great strides made during my tenure. Under my leadership, I am pleased that I was able to help bring about the following achievements for our district and students:
• Increased graduation rate by 15 points based upon latest preliminary data
• Reduced dropout rate by 8 points at 4 percent
• Worked with state team to increase fund balance from $2 to $20 million
• Made strides toward restoration of district’s accreditation
• Implemented and expanded career academies across Birmingham City Schools
• Implemented Dropout Recovery Program, graduating over 500 students
• Reduced student flight from the district by increasing student retention
• Expanded enrollment in Advanced Placement offerings and International Baccalaureate Programming
• Expanded the number of pre-kindergarten classrooms in the district from 9 to 23
• Secured a $19 million GearUp grant to help advance learning at middle schools
Each of these accomplishments helped us establish a solid foundation for the future of Birmingham City Schools. I am personally excited about that future.
In closing, I thank the Board of Education for allowing me to serve. I also thank the teachers, staff and principals. Our work together helped contribute mightily to every one of our accomplishments.
I send a special thanks to parents and community members for being vested and engaged in our schools. The kind of community interest we have in Birmingham is rare and does not get enough appreciation.
Lastly, I thank our students. It is because of you that I awake each day to work in education.
The foundation is set for a strong future. And, the time is now for this Board of Education to write other chapters of success for our district.
I am honored to have played a role in pointing Birmingham City Schools toward a path of progress.
October 7, 2014
