After just a year and a half at the helm, St. Joseph Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Thomas Bruce has announced his immediate resignation, effective tomorrow, Friday, February 5th.
That news was immediately followed by a special meeting this morning, wherein the St. Joseph Public Schools Board of Education accepted his resignation effective February 5, 2021, with a simple statement from Board President Barry Conybeare saying, “We appreciate the time that Dr. Bruce was here and wish him nothing but the best.”
No other information regarding the sudden decision was announced.
This morning, Assistant Superintendent Kelly Gaideski was named interim Superintendent. She brings 32 years of educational experience to the job, having begun her career as a teacher at the Niles Community Schools and was an educational consultant at Berrien RESA, serving on several statewide committees before joining St. Joseph Public Schools.
Kelly has been with the District for 12 years, serving as the High School Assistant Principal from 2009-to-2012, Curriculum Director from 2012-to-2020), and Assistant Superintendent from 2020-to-present.
Board President Barry Conybeare says, “Kelly is a trusted leader who has the confidence of the Board of Education, District Leadership, and staff. Kelly is certainly prepared to take on the role of interim superintendent during the Board’s search for a new superintendent.”
Michigan Leadership Institute will assist the District with the search. The Board expects to have a new superintendent in place by July 1, 2021, the start of the District’s next fiscal year.
The Board developed a list of questions and answers for further understanding of these decisions. This Q&A sheet is posted on the District’s website www.sjschools.org, and can be viewed here: BruceFAQ
