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Salem school chief retiring, principal will fill his shoes

Sean Kirkland

SALEM — The Salem school board on Tuesday approved a change at the top of the administration.

The school board unanimously named current high school principal Sean Kirkland as the next superintendent of schools, replacing the retiring Dr. Joe Shivers. The board granted Kirkland a four-year contract effective Aug. 1 at an initial salary of $104,000 with a .5 percent increase each of the subsequent three years.

The board also officially accepted the retirement of Shivers effective July 31 after 18 years with the district, the past five as superintendent.

“We do so with appreciation for his dedication and service to our school district,” said board President Luann Haddad.

Haddad praised Shivers, who announced his intention to retire at the end of this year more than a year ago, for providing the board sufficient time to determine his replacement, as well as recognized Kirkland as a perfect successor.

“We were able to evaluate our options for the district’s leadership and create a transition plan, a plan we have been working on for the last year,” she explained. “We consider out district very fortunate to have an outstanding candidate such as Mr. Kirkland; someone who is committed to our students, our staff members and our community.”

Kirkland has been with the district for 26 years, including the past 13 in administration. He replaced Shivers as high school principal five years ago and served the prior eight as junior high principal.

“I’m very honored and humbled,” Kirkland said of the promotion. “I’ve been very fortunate to have, next to my father, the greatest mentor in Dr. Shivers the past 13 years. I feel very confident in taking this position and continuing the excellence that Dr. Shivers has helped maintain.”

Shivers said he is pleased with his service to Salem schools as he gets ready to retire.

“I’m happy to have spent the time here,” he said. “Working with good people is always a pleasure and it was a good run, I’d say.

“Hiring Mr. Kirkland, it’s a great, great thing for the district.”

khowell@salemnews.net

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