SOUTH WHITTIER – After dedicating nearly 27 years of her education career to the South Whittier School District, Superintendent Gail Baxter has announced she will retire in June 2017.

Baxter, a longtime teacher and administrator in the District, announced the decision to the Board of Trustees in a Jan. 17 closed session meeting.

She praised the team of teachers and staff for instituting a culture of high-quality education for students, lauded the increase of learning opportunities afforded to parents, and thanked the Whittier community for passing a $29 million bond to repair campus infrastructure and upgrade classroom technology.

“I am very proud of the progress South Whittier has made over my tenure in this wonderful school district,” Baxter said. “I truly love my job and believe that as a District, we are in the midst of very exciting times full of great changes and opportunities for exploring programs that will result in improved academic achievement for all students.”

Baxter began teaching elementary school at the Whittier City School District in 1979 before joining South Whittier in 1990. She served as principal of Lake Marie and McKibben elementary schools, the latter earning Title 1 Achieving School status in two consecutive years under her leadership.

In 2007, Baxter was named the District’s director of special programs, providing oversight of special education, student services and technology division, among others. She was appointed the assistant superintendent of education services in 2009, overseeing curriculum and instruction and parent education.

She was appointed superintendent in 2014, ensuring students receive a high-quality education, increasing student achievement and success, bolstering parent engagement and building positive employee relationships through rigorous collaboration.

“I always knew I wanted to be a teacher from the time I was 5 years old and never pursued any other career,” said Baxter, the daughter of an educator who retired as superintendent of Little Lake City School District. “I would make my three younger siblings play school with me when they were little; of course, I was always the teacher. It has been a privilege and an honor to accomplish my dreams and goals of educating our future leaders at the South Whittier School District.”

Baxter said she is looking forward to her retirement and plans on spending more time with her husband, daughters and sons-in-law, grandchildren and parents.

The Board of Trustees will determine next steps for selecting a new superintendent.

PHOTO CAPTION:

011917_SWSD_BAXTER: After dedicating nearly 27 years of her education career to the South Whittier School District, Superintendent Gail Baxter has announced she will retire in June 2017. Baxter joined South Whittier in 1990, serving as principal, assistant superintendent and superintendent.