Trotwood superintendent resigns
The timing — 11 days before school begins — surprises board.
Trotwood-Madison schools are scrambling to prepare for the start of the school year after the sudden resignation of Superintendent Tyrone Olverson, who was replaced by acting Superintendent Marlon Howard.
Olverson submitted a one-sentence resignation letter late Wednesday, and the school board accepted it Thursday night, board President Denise Moore said.
Moore said the board did not ask for Olverson’s resignation, and there was no disciplinary action pending. Moore said the board was “caught somewhat offguard” by the sudden decision, but that there had been underlying concerns.
“We have been in the process of evaluating changes that were made during the last school year and preparing for the upcoming school year,” Moore said in an email.” The board was aware of
concerns voiced by employee groups. The board has been appreciative of Mr. Olverson’s efforts to do what he thought would continue to move the district forward. Throughout our discussions, it became apparent that there would be challenges moving forward.”
Twice in the past year, Trotwood’s teachers union sought school board inter- vention, saying that Olverson removed some staff support systems, mismanaged special education services and didn’t listen to concerns from staff, among other com- plaints. But union President Angela Bruno said “there was no indication” the resignation was coming, and said it was not something the union had pushed for.
“I met with him on Wednesday, planning the beginning of school for three hours,” Bruno said of Olverson. “We were setting up that the first week of school we were going to meet, and there were long term plans, talking about the (training) we were going to do through- out the year . ... We finished about 2:30 Wednesday. It was a good meeting.”
Olverson said late Friday that the reasons for his resignation were both personal and professional.
He said he’s worn down from working long hours six-seven days a week since April 2018, through build- ing a school transformation plan last summer and working on tornado recovery all this summer. Olverson said missing a recent weeklong California trip with his wife connected to their daughter’s track meet was a wake-up call.
“I don’t have a bad rela- tionship with the board,” Olverson said. “It’s really about me needing some time. I’m tired, truly. I’ve been going since April 15, 2018, with- out a break.”
He also said he came to Trotwood prepared for the possibility of serving as CEO if the district was taken over by a state Academic Distress Commission in fall 2018. But the district narrowly avoided takeover, and the job of a superintendent is different than that of a takeover CEO. Olverson clashed with the teachers union repeatedly.
“In reviewing the last school year and finalizing plans for the upcoming year, it seemed best for the district and me that we each have a fresh start,” Olverson said. The school board approved a separation agreement with Olverson, who still had two years left on his contract. The deal through Dec. 31 calls for Olverson to receive pro-rated salary of roughly $59,000, as well as school pickup of his retirement con- tribution and reimbursement for health insurance costs. In return, Olverson will provide school consult- ing services as needed and releases the district from any future claims.
Moore said the school board appointed Howard as acting superintendent while they search for a long- term replacement. Howard has been Trotwood’s director of operations in recent years, after serving as a teacher, assistant principal and prin- cipal in the district. Moore praised Howard’s qualifica- tions and willingness to step up, and said he will only double as superintendent and director of operations for a brief period.
Trotwood Mayor Mary McDonald said Friday she was surprised by the resig- nation. The city and school district have worked aggressively together the past two months trying to help residents bounce back from the Memorial Day tornado.
“I have every confidence in Marlon Howard. He’s home- grown, a Trotwood grad, and I think his commitment to our community has already shown itself,” McDonald said. Trotwood schools hired Olverson to replace longtime superintendent Kevin Bell in April 2018 while the district was under threat of state takeover. Trotwood avoided takeover by improving scores on state tests taken in spring 2018, just before Olverson arrived.
Olverson launched a sig- nificant turnaround plan while still interim superin- tendent, reassigning principals and other district lead- ers, trying to boost outreach to families and build com- munity pride.
In December, the teach- ers union cited multiple complaints with Olverson’s management and urged the school board to review those issues before committing to a long-term contract. But the board disagreed, giving Olverson an extension through summer of 2021.
Bruno said Friday that the teachers union believed several things needed to be changed, but that they were not seeking to have Olverson removed.
“This was not the desired outcome of the association,” Bruno said. “We were very much interested in working with the board and with administration in getting some things back on track and working together.”
Both Olverson and Bruno echoed McDonald’s support of Howard. Bruno said Howard “knows what needs to be done,” adding that as a Trotwood-Madison grad and parent of current students, he’s fully invested in the district’s success.
Moore put her focus on the start of the school year, and recovery from the Memorial Day tornado, rather than Olverson’s departure.
“The district is looking forward to a positive start and a successful school year as we continue to work to improve student performance,” she said. “We know we’re not out of the woods, and the board and all of the district’s staff are committed to serving the best interests of our students.”