By Joe Jarosz
Northeast News
May 20, 2015

KANSAS CITY, Missouri — As Dr. R. Stephen Green choked back the tears, it was easy to see this was no easy decision.

Since 2011, Superintendent R. Stephen Green has helped turn around the Kansas City Public Schools, culminating in provisional accreditation in 2014. And while he believes an announcement will be made soon, designating the KCPS with full accreditation, he won’t be around to hear the good news.

Last week, Green announced he is leaving the Kansas City Public Schools in order to become the Chief Executive Officer and Superintendent with DeKalb County School District in Georgia. Dr. Green plans to stay in his position at KCPS until the end of his current contract, through June 2015.

The decision to leave wasn’t easy. But at last week’s press conference, Green said he and his wife knew it was the right thing to do because an opportunity like this might not open up again. The couple have four children, two of which live in the Atlanta area. Three of his four grandchildren also reside in the Atlanta area, one of which will be attending a DeKalb County school this fall.

“My three grandsons are three, three and seven [years old],” Green said. “They’re at those formative stages and I want to be with them. You can only Skype and FaceTime so much.”

Green confirmed the DeKalb County School District approached him this past April about interviewing for its superintendent position. He explained the process progressed swiftly and he was informed of the district’s decision on May 3. Pending the DeKalb County School District’s approval, Green is expected to take over the DeKalb County School District on July 1, 2015.

“I am looking forward to helping lead DeKalb schools to new elevations and to being able to spend a lot of quality time with my children and grandchildren,” Green said. “I absolutely love the Kansas City Public Schools and love the work we’re doing here, but at the same time, I love my children and grandchildren.”

Green’s tenure was about double the 18-month average for leaders in peer school districts and was longer than previous superintendent tenures with the KCPS in recent years. With a string of superintendents who were quick to leave before him, Green’s departure brings questions of stability to the KCPS. Green, however, believes stability doesn’t just lie with him.

“There’s a solid structure here, that’s where the stability lies,” Green said. “I think we have established that kind of structure that’s in place. There’ll be a period of search, but that leadership will continue.”

Green was approved by the board in April 2012. At that time, KCPS was unaccredited by the state of Missouri. Along with earning provisional accreditation under his leadership, KCPS has had three years in a row of balanced budgets and perfect financial audits, and has stabilized enrollment. He also prompted the rapid expansion of the Early College Academy and the programs at the Manual Career Tech Center, the reopening of two middle schools and an elementary school and the addition of a second early childhood education center. Green knows in his departure, the KCPS is in good shape, from the board of directors and staff to the students and teachers.

“The system is in place for the Kansas City Public Schools to continue its rise,” Green said. “The infrastructure is here and that’s what was missing. What is left is to sustain that system going forward and I have every bit of confidence that will happen.”

KCPS Board of Directors Chair Jon Hile thanked Green for his service and wished him well moving forward.

Hile said the board is saddened to lose a, “respected and valued leader.” But, he continued, they are committed to working collaboratively with Green and members of his executive team on a transition plan. Hile said an interim superintendent will be named shortly. A search team of board members will take the lead in finding Green’s replacement.

“We greatly appreciate the progress KCPS has made under his guidance, and believe that a strong foundation has been built for continuous improvement,” Hile said. “Four years ago, Dr. Green answered the KCPS call.”

The KCPS Board of Directors and administration will develop a transition plan as quickly as possible in order to begin the process of recruiting a new superintendent. Hile noted the board is looking at two internal candidates for interim superintendent position. Hile promised that process will be transparent and will include public engagement and communication.

For regular updates about the transition process and contact information, visit the KCPS website at www.kcpublicschools.org/Transition.