Perkins announces retirement, plans to leave district’s helm this summer

Davison Schools Superintendent Clay Perkins looks on as Board of Education President Kathleen Sudia reads the letter announcing his intention to retire in June. Photo by Gary Gould DAVISON — Superintendent Clay Perkins, who has been employed by Davison Community Schools as both a teacher and administrator for more than 30 years, announced Feb. 1 he will retire after this current school year.

A letter from Perkins was read to the Board of Education by President Kathleen Sudia in which the superintendent thanked the district and community for their support over the years. He said he plans to finish out the 2009-2010 school year before he retires.

After reading the letter Sudia said she was stunned at the announcement, which she and the rest of the board had been informed of about 10 days earli- er.

Perkins said he is happy to be leaving the district on a positive note.

“I have the strongest of feelings for this community, this school district in particular,” he said. “I’ve spent more than three decades of my life here.”

Hired in 1974 fresh out of college from the University of Michigan, Perkins began his teaching career at Davison Junior High School, which is now the Middle School. He went on to teach math and computer science at the high school in 1980 and later went on to direct the district’s technology department until 1989.

Perkins was then hired to become the Instructional Technology Coordinator for Kearsley Schools and in 1991 became Kearsley’s Director of Finance and Operations. He was named acting superintendent for the district in 1993 and worked for a year as assistant superintendent of finance and operations until he returned to Davison Schools in 1994.

Perkins came back to serve as assistant superintendent for curriculum and personnel. In 2002 he became superintendent.

Board Vice President Carol Dowsett said the news came as a shock.

“Everyone was speechless,” she said. “I’m happy for you. It’s difficult to think of you leaving us – you’ve done a superior job.”

Board Treasurer Kim Lindsay said while Perkins will be missed, he was leaving the district in “a good place” so the transition to a new superintendent won’t be so difficult.

“A new person can step in and they won’t miss a beat,” he said. “Thanks for your service to this district.”

Perkins said he doesn’t have immediate plans for after his retirement, but he said he plans to take time to ‘decompress” and said he would like to travel with his wife, Laura, who retired from Kearsley Schools three years ago. He said he also hopes to spend more time with his children and granddaughter.

A community retirement open house will be in June.