Everly declines offer, Monroe Public Schools continues superintendent search
The Monroe Public Schools Board of Education announced it will expand its search for the district's next superintendent after Dr. Julie Everly announced Tuesday that she still intends to retire.
Everly presented a letter to the board at a special meeting Tuesday night that said that she is declining the board's offer of a pay raise and still intends to retire as of August 12, at which point she will become the City of Monroe's Director of Human Resources.
"...As you know from our many conversations, I remain devoted to our students, staff, and district, as well as the institution of public education," Everly wrote. "My decision to retire was motivated by the opportunity to elongate my service to the Monroe community with another thriving and innovative partner organization where I can continue to serve the citizens of Monroe.
"I have given much thought and consideration to your offer. At this late time in the process, I feel the need to uphold my commitment to the City; therefore, I must respectfully decline the proposed offer and continue on the planned path."
The school board voted 5-2 last Thursday night to offer the raise to Everly in an attempt to convince her to continue her 30-plus year career with the district. It was an abrupt change of direction for the board, which had been expected to select two finalists out of a pool of four candidates to be her successor.
Earlier report: Monroe Schools' Everly now city's human resources director
Earlier report: Heather Boone resigns from Monroe Public Schools board after vote on superintendent offer
Pastor Heather Boone, one of the two board members who voted against the offer to Everly, resigned during last Thursday's meeting in protest of the change of direction.
"In discussion last week, the Board referenced a compensation contract recently awarded to another superintendent in Monroe County," read a statement from the board issued Tuesday night. "Given that MPS is a larger district, the Board opted to offer Dr. Everly salary amount 10% higher. Although she did not accept, Gary Collins, an attorney at Collins & Blaha, who has served as the district's legal counsel for the past 40 years, indicated the amount was appropriate in the current employment market for a superintendent with her level of experience."
In response to Everly's declination of their offer, the board voted Tuesday to enter into agreement discussions with Kenneth Laub to serve as the district's interim superintendent. Laub previously served as MPS' Assistant Superintendent of Business and Finance.
The board also announced that the search for a permanent replacement superintendent will continue in an expanded manner. The current candidates will still be considered, but the position will also be re-posted with a salary structure aligned with the compensation offer to Everly, which the board hopes will allow for the consideration of additional candidates.
Everly wrote in her letter that, although she is leaving the district, she will remain "a Lifetime Member of the MPS Fan Club."
"I remain committed to facilitating a smooth transition for the district and am more than willing to support our Monroe Public Schools family and programs in any way needed - both now and into the future," she said.
This article originally appeared on The Monroe News: Monroe Public Schools continues superintendent search
