Chief school administrator to retire

Aug. 4, 2006

By JOEL DAVIDSON

Frontiersman

MAT-SU - Chief school administrator Bob Doyle announced Wednesday night his plan to retire from leading the Mat-Su Borough School District, after the conclusion of the upcoming school year.

Doyle submitted his retirement notice to the Mat-Su School Board during its regular scheduled meeting. The effective date is June 30, 2007.

&#8220After working in Alaska school districts for the past 31 years and in the Mat-Su for the past 25 years, it is time for a change,” Doyle stated in a written letter to the board.

Doyle offered his retirement notice early to give the board a chance to conduct a thorough search for a new superintendent, he said.

He thanked the board for letting him serve and highlighted the achievements he's most proud of during his tenure leading the district.

&#8220We have made great strides in upgrading technology, infrastructure, assessments and professional development,” he said in the letter.

Under Doyle's leadership, the district, like those all across the nation, has had to tackle increasingly stiff school educational standards through the federal No Child Left Behind Act. He also has presided over a time of rapid student growth in the Valley.

The Mat-Su School District is now the second largest in the state, second only to Anchorage.

Last year, Doyle's administration made the controversial decision to lay off publicly employed custodians in favor of outsourcing custodial and light maintenance services to private company, NANA Management. The effort was intended to save the district money, but drew sharp criticism from union leaders and school employees.

Despite the fact that he is now a lame-duck leader, Doyle vowed to &#8220work hard all year” for the district. He said he will leave with many good memories of the district.

As for who will lead the district after Doyle retires, board member Rob Wells said it's not too early to begin the search.

&#8220It is immediately time to start talking about how we are going to conduct a search,” he said.

Doyle was appointed interim chief school administrator in July 2002, and the board selected him to fill the role permanently in January 2003.

Doyle has been employed with the district since 1982. During the past 25 years, he held a number of administrative positions in the district, including community services director, human resources director, finance director, and director of operations and maintenance. Prior to being named chief school administrator, Doyle served as the assistant superintendent of finance and operations.

Contact Joel Davidson at

352-2266 or joel.davidson@

frontiersman.com.