School Board President Dave Stuckey, in a prepared statement, said the board recently voted to give Petrey full retirement pick-up because he “led this district through challenging transitions and continued to set high goals.”
Stuckey added: “He has led this district through challenging transitions and continued to set high goals. … We are very pleased with his performance here. But anyone in public education understands that the superintendent position is a 24-7 job.”
What is Petrey most proud of from his time at Springboro? Putting things in place to respect and support the teaching staff financially, he said.
“Education is becoming more global,” said Petrey. “And, what’s becoming more important now than ever is the teacher in front of the students.”
He said challenges and recent controversies — including a bomb threat at the high school, elementary students using “lookalike drugs,” and an assault against a student — are not related to his reason for leaving.
“I believe in telling the parents,” said Petrey. “When we told them about the things that were happening, they stopped.”
Petrey said Mason City Schools will work with him to allow him to help Springboro, so he does not know when he’ll leave the district.
Petrey has worked as a teacher, principal or superintendent in public education for more than 20 years. He was hired at Springboro in August 2012.
He said he has no regrets from his time there.
“I think, in the four years I spent at Springboro, I learned more from the Springboro community than they learned from me,” said Petrey.
The Springboro school district has about 6,000 students in six buildings.
— Story reported by Tali Hunt
About the Author