Monroe set to retire Feb. 28

CELINA-A search for a new director of schools is underway here, after Diana Monroe announced plans to retire early next year at last week’s October meeting of the Clay County School Board.

“I just wanted to inform the board that after great consideration and great deliberation, I have decided to retire effective February 28, 2025,” Monroe said, according to a video of the Thursday, October 10 meeting posted on the Clay County Schools CCBE YouTube page.  “I feel it is in the best interest of my family.”

Monroe, an education veteran with over three decades of service to local schools, became the director January 1, 2022 when she was selected by the board to succeed Matt Eldridge upon his retirement.

“On behalf of the board, first of all I want to thank you for your service,” board chairman Benji Bailey said to Monroe following her announcement.  “We can’t thank you enough for your dedication.

“When you came back to the school system, not only did you bring professionalism, but experience—and that is going to be tremendously hard to replace.”

Monroe offered her gratitude to all involved, including Bailey and the other board members.

“I want to thank all of you, and I want to thank the board especially for all of your support,” she said.  “It has been an honor for me to serve the children and teachers, and all the staff of Clay County.

“Every person that works in the Clay County School System at all, we sincerely appreciate everything that you have done.  It has been an honor and privilege to me.  Thank you so much.”

Following Monroe’s announcement, the school board voted to advertise the open position and officially begin the search for a new director.

The job vacancy notice appears on page 5 of this week’s HORIZON, a link to the notice also accompanies this story below, and the opening will also be advertised statewide.

Bailey outlined a time table for the hiring process.

“Our next board meeting would be scheduled for November 14,” he explained.  “After advertising, our goal has always been, if needed, to narrow the list of candidates.

“We can do that in November and then begin conducting interviews potentially as early as December.”

Bailey also mentioned having “a special called meeting” if necessary, “depending on how (the) November meeting went and the applications that were received.”

When Monroe was hired, she was one of four candidates who interviewed for the job, with Debbie Eads, Melissa Savage, and Dr. John (Pat) Teeples being the other three.

According to the job vacancy notice, minimum qualifications to become the new director include a professional educator’s license, a master’s degree in education, and at least three years of experience in school administration.

The salary range for the job will range from $70,000 to $95,000 depending on degree and years of experience.

The deadline for submitting applications is 3 p.m. on November 7, and the successful applicant must be able to assume duties by February 1, 2025.