London superintendent to retire
For The Madison Press
FileSteve Allen’s resignation will be presented to the Board of Education at their meeting on August 15.
“It’s bittersweet but I’m ready,” Allen said. “I really made this decision 18 months ago, but delayed it as events in the district demanded continuity in leadership. Our new Treasurer, Kristine Blind, starts this month and we will have the rest of the year to make sure our fiscal house is in order.”
“Now, I’m eager to move on to a new phase in my life with my family.”
“Steve has shown wonderful leadership and has served our London schools well,” board president Vici Geer said. “We appreciate the time that he gave our school system and know that he did it simply because he cared. He is a very selfless and giving person. He’s given us all so much and we wish him the best.”
Allen helped guide the district through very challenging economic times during his early years with the district, all the while the district has achieved its highest academic ratings yet on the state report card. He has done a tremendous job making the difficult decisions to cut the budget and to work with teachers and staff on unprecedented agreements such as the recent salary decrease.
Allen began his career as a Social Studies teacher and worked his way up over his career to be a coach, principal and eventually superintendent. He came to London in 2006.
Although Allen will be leaving the district, he and his wife, Sue, have no immediate plans for leaving the community. Even during the time Allen worked as Superintendent of Grandview Heights City Schools, he lived in London with Sue and their children, MacKenzie and Stuart.
“I’ve always been proud to live here and I’ll continue to be a supporter of our schools,” Allen said. “Only now, I’ll do that from the sidelines and not from the field. One thing is certain: I believe that, with the support of the community, great things are ahead for London.”
Allen’s resignation will be presented to the Board of Education at their meeting on August 15. The Board will need to decide whether to begin a search now for a replacement or to hire an interim to finish the school year.
With the Superintendent leaving, the rest of the school board needs to follow suit.
London City Schools has been so blessed to have such an honest, open, and God fearing man to lead the district! He truly wakes up every day with one goal in mind – “what is best for all the kids.” Sometimes we get so far away from what is best for the kids with our petty differences and ridiculous notions! Steve always speaks the truth and is willing to listen. He gives 200 % everyday and isn’t afraid to try new things or think outside the box! My prayers are with him and Sue while they decide what is next for them in the future!
I find it odd that the super would resign a few days before school starts. How much of this has to do with the Nance law suit, and how can you sue for age discrimination when you resigned of your own free will? Nance claims ignorance of his rights after the fact, but one suspects that light bulb went on after a lawyer got involved. The biggest question I have is what is the reason he was asked to resign in the first place? I’ve heard it said if the sport wasn’t track he didn’t care much about it. Wasn’t there also a lot of crotchetiness involved? The reasons have never come out officially, but you don’t tell someone to resign or have our contract no renewed just for fun. Guess we will find out if/when the suit goes to court!
Happy retirement, should have done it in 2007 !
Does Jonathan Alder have open enrollment? It’s the only school in Madison County NOT falling apart! Seriously considering tranferring my child to a more stable district! Her education is seriously at risk!!!!!!
JA does have open enrollment, but I think the cut off date for the paper work to be in has passed. Plus they have to have room in the grade you are planning to transfer a student into.