Beechwood Superintendent Mike Stacy has announced his retirement, effective at the end of this academic year.
Although Stacy still has two years left on his contract as Beechwood superintendent, “I believe there is great value in stepping away at a time when our district is thriving, leaving on a high note, with gratitude for all we have accomplished together,” Stacy wrote in an open letter on March 7.
“The past ten years have been the most rewarding of my career,” the letter continues. “Looking back, I am incredibly proud of the remarkable progress we have made as a district, achievements that would not have been possible without the dedication of our students, educators, staff, Board of Education and the unwavering support of this exceptional community.”
As reported by LINK nky’s content sharing partner WCPO, the Beechwood Board of Education just last May decided in a split vote to extend Stacy’s contract for three years. Many who attended the meeting were upset about the contract extension ahead of the November election when a different board would take control. Others also noted the significant pay disparity between Stacy and the district’s teachers.
Kentucky Department of Education statistics show Stacy made $250,000 this academic year — the sixth-highest-paid superintendent in the state and the highest of any superintendent with an average daily student attendance under 10,000.
Meanwhile, the average classroom teacher’s salary at Beechwood sits at $60,867, around four times lower than Stacy’s salary. That number is lower than the average salaries for teachers in nearby districts in Fort Thomas, Boone County, Ludlow, Newport and Campbell County.
Stacy’s letter goes on to list the district’s accomplishments, such as its high academic rankings and recent facilities expansion.
“I look forward to watching Beechwood’s continued success from the sidelines, cheering you on every step of the way,” the letter concludes.
Taylor Weiter of WCPO contributed reporting to this brief.