Dr. Suellen Girard wrote that on Monday, October 28, 2013, the School Board accepted her retirement for June 2014. She added, “We plan to stay in Morrison after I retire.” Her letter to the Board follows.
Dear Members of the Board of Education:
I truly value being a member of the Morrison Community Unit School District #6 team. The opportunity I have as the Superintendent to help make it possible for children to achieve their dreams by providing a strong educational foundation has been a driving force in my life. The students, Board, staff, parents, and community in Morrison, IL, are special, and it is an honor to be able to work together with this entire community.
At this time however, the disarray and unpredictability of the Illinois Legislature on the topic of pensions has placed me in a position in which I must tender my Letter of Retirement effective June 30, 2014.
At this point in my life it is too late to significantly change my retirement financial planning, and some of the pension proposals would deeply affect my family and me. It is not possible for anyone to anticipate when action will be taken by the Legislature or when it might go into effect. This makes planning ahead difficult and stressful.
I do not want my retirement decisions to place the District in a problematic situation. If the Legislature should take action this spring with changes effective July 1, 2014, or if the Legislature were to take action during the January veto with changes effective immediately, either action could cause me to retire with little lead-time for the District. I believe a more orderly transition would be in the best interest of the Morrison School District.
Therefore, I respectfully submit to you my Letter of Retirement effective June 30, 2014.
Sincerely,
Suellen Girard