After three years serving the Sumner School District as its superintendent, Sara Johnson announced late last month that she will be resigning at the end of the school year.
In a message sent to school staff and district families Feb. 25, Johnson said she will be officially resigned June 30 in order to relocate to Oregon to be with her family.
“We are looking forward to welcoming our first grandchild this spring and would like to be closer to enjoy family,” Johnson wrote.
In the meantime, Johnson is no longer working out of the district office or visiting schools .
She will be taking on a consultative role while Laurie Dent, the district’s assistant superintendent of instructional services, steps up to the role of acting superintendent for the rest of the year.
“Sara has been working with the board to come up with a succession and transition plan that truly insures a smooth handoff with minimal impact to operations and student learning,” said Communications Director Sarah Gillespie. “Having (Johnson) work for the district in a consultative role through the remainder of that time allows her to tend to immediate personal matters.”
Dent was named the acting superintendent by the Board of Directors during the March 2 meeting.
Dent has worked in the Sumner School District for 17 years and is on track to receive her superintendent certification this spring. She is also currently working on her doctorate from Northwest Nazarene University.
The board will evaluate Dent’s performance and will decide what further steps they will take, if any, in June.
