After 2 years on the job, Shawnee Mission school superintendent says he’ll step down
Shawnee Mission Superintendent Mike Fulton plans to retire from his position in July, he told the school board Monday night.
Fulton said in a statement that announcing his decision now will allow the district enough time to find his replacement. He has led the Johnson County school district, which is one of the largest in the state with more than 27,000 students, since 2018.
“My plan beyond the superintendency is to stay engaged with the educational community in ways that support leadership development and promote equity and excellence in public education,” Fulton wrote. “To serve as superintendent in SMSD has been an honor. … The future is bright in the Shawnee Mission School District.”
District spokesman David Smith said there was not much he could add to the statement, but said that Fulton has not accepted another position.
School board president Heather Ousley said in a statement that, “Over the next few weeks, we will begin conversations around the process to select the next superintendent of SMSD. Meanwhile, our path forward remains clear, and our leadership team remains invested in providing a foundation for success for every Shawnee Mission student.”
Fulton was selected to lead Shawnee Mission after former superintendent Jim Hinson retired. The school board unanimously approved a three-year contract, which runs through 2021.
At the time, many wanted a leader who would take a different approach than Hinson, whose top-down leadership style harmed the administration’s relationship with employees, teachers told The Star.
Before taking on the job in Johnson County, Fulton served in the Pattonville School District in St. Louis County for 23 years, the last 11 as superintendent.
While at Pattonville, Fulton supported high school students who held a sit-in to bring attention to issues of racism, and later created time during the school day for students to express themselves. During his tenure there, the district evolved into one of the most diverse school districts in Missouri.
Fulton was named Missouri Superintendent of the Year in 2016.
Shawnee Mission, too, has seen drastic demographic changes in the past decade. And during Fulton’s time, the district hired its first coordinator of diversity, equity and inclusion.
Ousley also credited Fulton for helping the district craft a new strategic plan, which includes equipping each student with personalized learning goals. He also helped the district put forth the $264 million bond referendum — which will be on the ballot in January — to rebuild some schools, improve outdated facilities and address teacher workloads.
And he has led Shawnee Mission through the COVID-19 pandemic, making decisions as to when and how to bring students back into classrooms.
“Dr. Fulton has been a strong leader for the Shawnee Mission School District, guiding us with wisdom and purpose through incredibly difficult times,” Ousley said. “We are saddened by his departure. At the same time, we look forward to the future of the Shawnee Mission School District.”
This story was originally published December 15, 2020 at 5:31 PM.
