October 29, 2020
Dear Mayfield Staff, Students, Community and Parents:
You may know by now that the board accepted my retirement letter at last night's board meeting. I will retire effective August 1, 2021.
It is now time, after 40 years of serving, educating and leading others to enjoy the kind of flexibility in my life that will enable me to spend more time with family and close friends.
I have had a blessed career working with remarkably passionate and brilliant people in two states and three cities. I am fortunate to have had the opportunity to be a part of the lives of so many young people for so long. It has been a joy of a lifetime to watch a diversity of students of all ages and backgrounds grow and learn as they pursue their interests and passions.
I will be forever grateful to have been a part of the Mayfield Family and to be your colleague. There is not a day that goes by that I don’t marvel at your work. I will always cherish the school board, students, families and the Mayfield community for providing me with the extraordinary opportunity to serve as superintendent. Mayfield is without question the most memorable and the most rewarding of all of my professional experiences.
It has been a privilege to work alongside so many talented Mayfield administrators, teachers, students, community leaders, volunteers, parents and staff. Being able to witness the numerous innovative and creative ideas unfold during the course of our work to reimagine how students experience their learning has been a fulfilling experience. The tradition of visionary programming for students is alive and well because of the collective efforts of the Mayfield Family and Community. Your willingness to take a risk, learn something new and be vulnerable is the reason why so many school districts want to see what you have done to make our visions reality.
Mayfield is great place to work because of the people and the relationships that exist. The amazing fiscal, emotional and intellectual support from parents and the community is second to none in the nation. Over the years I have told colleagues, friends and families around the country that what separates Mayfield from the rest are the relationships that exist between the staff and the students. There is not another school district in the country that can match the level of reciprocal respect and love that we know as the Mayfield Way.
I will say this now and then again in late July - thank you to the students, staff, parents and community for making my time here at Mayfield the best time of my career.
There may be some speculation as to my reasons for this decision particularly because of the pandemic. I want you to know that my decision has nothing to do with the pandemic and everything to do with family. My wife and I privately came to this decision a few months ago. Announcing now allows the school board to plan. I will continue to work as I always do and be supportive of the transition to a new superintendent.
In the meantime, there is much work to do until August. We will continue to meet the educational challenges of this pandemic head on and advance the Mayfield Vision of All-Access Learning.
Every Student. Every Day. It truly means something.
Always a Wildcat.
With much admiration and fondness,
Keith