Oxford schools superintendent resigns after 9 months
The superintendent of Oxford Community Schools has resigned from the school district after only nine months in the top role.
Ken Weaver resigned in a letter to the community on Tuesday, citing health reasons. Weaver, who has been with the district for 19 years, replaced Tim Throne in March to lead the school district, several months after a school shooting that killed four students and injured six others plus a teacher.
“Over the last month, my health, wellness, and my own recovery from the events of Noed vember 30th has been greatly impacted by the stress and responsibility of my position,” he wrote. “With the deterioration of my health, I have come to understand that my own recovery path must now lead me away from Oxford Community Schools.”
Weaver will go on leave from November to February, he wrote. His resignation will be final Feb. 21. He wrote that he “underestimated the toll” of leading a district through such a difficult time.
Oxford’s seven school board members will choose a new superintendent. The board vot
Tuesday night to appoint Anita Qonja-Collins as interim superintendent. Qonja-Collins is an assistant superintendent of elementary instruction with the district. The board will use a professional search firm for the process of finding a permanent interim superintendent.
The board, in a statement posted online, expressed appreciation for Weaver.
“There are few words that meet the level of gratitude we have for Mr. Weaver for that service, for his leadership, and for his enduring advocacy for our schools,” a statement reads.