Editor's note: The following article expands upon our initial coverage.
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After nearly six years with the Jefferson City Public Schools, Superintendent Brian Mitchell announced on Wednesday his intention to retire at the end of this school year.
The decision was publicized by the district's office of school-community relations Wednesday morning, and was also released by members of the Board of Education.
Mitchell first arrived in the district on July 1, 2009.
Rather than embarking on finding a new position with another district, Mitchell will be pursuing an opportunity in the business world.
Board members indicated Mitchell's decision to retire was a surprise.
Doug Whitehead, the board's vice president, said he and his colleagues were "frustrated, upset and also saddened to announce Dr. Mitchell's retirement, as we had expected a longer tenure with the district."
Although Board President Dennis Nickelson was unavailable for an interview Tuesday, in a news release he noted: "Dr. Mitchell has demonstrated an outstanding work ethic and a deep dedication to JCPS students, educators and public education in general. He has led faculty to create an aligned and coherent environment for learning while at the same time encouraging innovative practices.
"There will be large shoes to fill so we are glad he has given us plenty of notice to search for a successor."
Mitchell, 44, didn't make a formal announcement at a board meeting. Instead, he said he brought the subject up with each board member in person or in small groups. Formal announcements to staff, media and the public rolled out Wednesday morning.
Whitehead said the decision was "100 percent Dr. Mitchell's personal decision," and he noted those one-on-one conversations with board members started last Saturday.
Mitchell said he was presented with a career opportunity he didn't want to miss.
It was "presented through a friend of the family who introduced me to a career opportunity," he said. "It became: Would you be interested in being a part of a new business?"
Mitchell declined to talk about the company's product, but mentioned it involves a new technology in the earth sciences. It is not related to education.
"It's brand new. It's really, really cool. But we're still in the legal/contractual phase" of the business's development, he said. "We've spent a lot of time investigating it. We've talked to the engineers that built it and the gentleman who has the patents.
"And we've done a lot of praying."
Mitchell said the new career presents a chance to build a future business he could hand to his kids.
"And, at the end of the day, after thought and prayer, that's what it came down to: Being able to take advantage of this opportunity," he said. "Not knowing: "Would anything come closely to be as exciting as this one?'"
The downside is leaving, he said.
"I love what we're doing in Jefferson City in the school district. I love the people I work with. We've got great kids, great staff and great administrators. We've got some really exciting things taking place right now. I also knew, that no matter what time I stepped away, there would always be exciting things going on," he said.
Taking the job will require Mitchell's family - he is married and has two children in the district - to relocate away from Jefferson City. "We're going to have to decide where that ends up being," he said.
Mitchell said his eligibility to retire from the Missouri public school system weighed in his decision.
During his career, he has worked as an elementary and middle school teacher, an assistant principal and principal. He served as superintendent of the Fair Play R-2 School District and as deputy superintendent of the Independence School District prior to joining JCPS. He has 24 years of experience in public education.
In 2003, he was recognized as New Superintendent of the Year by the Missouri Association of School Administrators. And, in 2010, he was named as Administrator of the Year by the Missouri Association of Educational Office Personnel.
Asked what achievements he is most proud of at JCPS, Mitchell declined to specify any.
"I'm not done, yet. It's a question for June 30," he said. "And, quite honestly, I'm hoping the rest of this school year will have some of the biggest and best things yet."
Asked what challenges face education leaders, Mitchell said the public schools are facing "increasing demands to address at a higher degree all of the societal issues that our kids, unfortunately, come to school with."
"And sometimes I think we are even put in a position of trying to address societal issues, regardless of the students being involved," he added.
He also noted public schools increasingly are held accountable to fix problems without being given adequate resources to do so.
"And I'm not just talking about money," he said. "We have such an inadequate amount of time dedicated to the work to be done. We're still on an agrarian calendar. And trying to cram everything into 174 days for students and 180 days for staff ... it just creates an enormous amount of stress on any institution.
"When you are held accountable for doing more - and nothing else changes to help accommodate that - that's the biggest challenge."
Mitchell's tenure has been marked by some challenges and controversy.
In April 2013, a bond issue intended to provide the district $79 million to build a new high school facility failed. Parents have raised concerns about student behavior in a host of public forums, and retired teachers have raised complaints that the district is losing its most-experienced faculty. In July, a former journalism teacher sued the district, alleging harassment. Although a plan to transform the high school curriculum into seven professional academies was well received in some quarters, it has been criticized in others. Academic progress on standardized exams has been lacking. And, earlier this month, the principal at Jefferson City High resigned.
In his formal statement, shared on the district's web page, Mitchell wrote: "Working for JCPS is an extraordinary experience. Administration, faculty, and staff are inspirational colleagues, deeply dedicated to serving all of our students. The community support for public education is second to none. It is a great privilege to work with the extremely devoted and talented people who make up this community."
He assured patrons that he is "committed to being very active and highly engaged until my last day."
"Let me assure you that there will be no reduction of my efforts. As the Board of Education works on the selection of a new superintendent, I will do all that I can to sustain the quality of our school system, continue to implement identified improvements and achieve a smooth, positive leadership transition."
And he wrote: "It is, and has been, a significant personal and professional honor to serve as your Superintendent. Thank you for the support and encouragement you give our school system and me. I ask for your continued support as we move through this transitional period."
Whitehead described Mitchell as a "tireless advocate" for JCPS. He credited Mitchell for the role he played in the creation of the Jefferson City Academic Center and the Southwest Early Childhood Center. Both have been hailed for their educational achievements.
"One of the biggest highlights of his tenure - which I recognize every day - is that he seeks continuous improvement," Whitehead said. "Every day, we're looking for ways to get better ... for kids, for families and for the community."
Whitehead said he couldn't speak on behalf of his peers on the board, but he said it's likely they'll work with a search consultant with access to a database of eligible candidates with suitable credentials. He said the board also will likely create a list of attributes they'd like to see in a future leader.
"Eventually between all seven of us, and the search committee, we'll narrow it down to five to interview," Whitehead said. "If we're satisfied with the excellence of that pool, then we'll move as fast as we can and maybe be able to get this done by the end of the year. If we're not satisfied, then we'll keep working until we are."
Whitehead said the board is well positioned to be able to consider a good selection of candidates.
"By announcing it now, it does get us in the game more quickly," he said.
Mitchell was evaluated last fall. Whitehead reported the board's consensus view was Mitchell's performance was "exemplary." He was extended a three-year contract, subject to annual appropriations and review.
Mitchell's decision to retire will not be accompanied by any severance packages or other monetary incentives from the district.
"We are accepting his retirement," Whitehead said.