Ann Arbor Schools Superintendent Resigns

Todd Roberts, who has served as superintendent of the Ann Arbor Public Schools for four years, announced his resignation today in an email sent to school staff. He cited personal reasons, and is returning to North Carolina to take a job as chancellor of the North Carolina School of Science and Math, based in Durham.

A copy of Roberts’ email is published after the jump.

Dear Colleague:

I hope this letter finds you well and you are having an enjoyable summer. It is with regret that I am writing to let you know that I will be resigning from my position as superintendent of the Ann Arbor Public Schools. This is a very difficult decision for my family and I to make. However, based on the needs of our parents and families, we feel that we need to be closer to them in North Carolina. I will be leaving later this fall to return to North Carolina where I have accepted the position of Chancellor of the North Carolina School of Science and Math. I wanted you to be aware of my planned departure before it became public knowledge. I plan to stay on as superintendent in Ann Arbor through the fall until a replacement is found and a smooth transition takes place.

Living in Ann Arbor for the past 11 years and working in the Ann Arbor Public Schools for the past 4 years has been one of the most enjoyable and fulfilling times of my life. I have had the great fortune to work with fantastic colleagues and our family has made lifelong friends.

In order to move closer to family I am fortunate to have an opportunity at this point to go to work at an outstanding educational institution in the North Carolina School of Science and Math which is located in my hometown. I hope to enjoy working there as much as I have enjoyed working with you.

I want to thank you for the outstanding job you do as educators in this school district, and for your help and support over the past four years. As superintendent I play a very small part in the success of the school district; it is your work, day in and day out, in the classroom, in our schools and in the community that makes the Ann Arbor Public Schools exceptional. Through your work, the leadership and support of a committed Board of Education and the community I am certain that the Ann Arbor Public Schools will experience even greater success in the future.

Thank you again for everything and I look forward to seeing you in a few weeks.

Sincerely,

Todd

12:30 p.m. update: AAPS has released a statement from board president Deb Mexicotte: “On behalf of the trustees we are both saddened for the district and pleased for Dr. Roberts and his family. We are happy that Dr. Roberts and his family have the opportunity to move closer to their families in North Carolina. But we are sad that this district will lose a leader who we have appreciated and respected during his tenure with us. We want to wish him and his family the very best and we appreciate that he will work with the district through the transition.”

The board plans to release details of a transition plan in the coming weeks, according to the statement.