By Hannah Arendsen

After ten years and 27 snow days, Superintendent Sue Wakefield sent an email to Plainwell Community Schools staff members announcing her retirement the end of the 2015-2016 school year.

“When I interviewed for this position…I explained that I needed ten more years to complete a 30 year career and that it takes between seven and ten years to embed systematic changes in any organization,” said Wakefield in her retirement announcement to staff.

Wakefield was the principal at Plainwell High School for four years before she applied for the job as superintendent. Wakefield knew that public education was going to change in several dramatic ways, and she wanted to be a part of that change.

“Specifically, the accountability for ensuring that all students master academic content and the funding structure was going to shift causing districts to make difficult choices in the years ahead,” said Wakefield.

Principal Jeremy Wright has worked closely with Wakefield after she hired him, and further than just a principal-superintendent relationship, they co-created the Interact student leadership club and will continue to help run it after she retires.

“She has a drive that she wants her students and teachers to do the best they possibly can. It’s like nothing I’ve ever seen,” said Wright.

Students don’t have the same relationship with the superintendent as an administrator does, and their opinions varied about the position and about Wakefield herself.

“Her policies come down the chain and it impacts my education and graduation,” said Joey Fazio ’16.

“There are improvements that have been made, but there is still a ways to go,” said Colleen Loftus ‘17.

Prior to coming to PCS, she served seven years as a school social worker and three years as assistant principal at Wayland Union Schools. Wakefield had already been living in Plainwell and was ready for a change. She was also offered the principal position at Comstock High School, but decided to come to Plainwell.

During her transition to PCS she was raising two kids. Adam Aviles ‘00 and Kelli Aviles ‘03, both went through Plainwell schools and this impacted the way Wakefield performed as superintendent.

“It deepened my conviction that this is a phenomenal district. We have incredible staff, incredible curriculum, and incredible resources,” said Wakefield.

While Wakefield has been in office she has faced scrutiny, but has also done a significant amount of work to set the district above many others in Michigan, including national awards and an increase in standardized test scores.

In 2008, two PHS wrestling coaches were fired after students had been caught using sweat suits, a violation according to the Michigan High School Athletics Association. This created controversy in the community and soon led to a vote of “no confidence” from the Plainwell Education Association. By MEA standards, representatives are required to give Wakefield a list of grievances and six months to address the list. Union representatives failed to do this and the vote of “no confidence” was later dropped.

Another controversy arose when a student at Gilkey Elementary brought a toy gun to school and Wakefield did not notify police as soon as some thought she should. The school board unanimously voted to suspend Wakefield for a day.

“When you are a leader you are responsible for those things,” said Wakefield about the controversies.

Her most recent challenge came when high school band teacher Paul Mundo was forced to resign after several allegations of misconduct, which were contested by many of Mundo’s students, parents, and community members.

But Wakefield says her retirement at this time was long planned and the recent controversy had nothing to do with her decision.

During Wakefield’s ten years as superintendent, schools in Michigan faced one of the worst economic hardships in history and she was able to never cut a program, never lay off/pink slip a teacher.

In addition, she implemented a full one-to-one technology initiative, putting iPads in the hands of every student.

“She’s good. She’s focused financially and academically efficient, and look at all the awards we have won as a district,”  said science teacher Scott Evans who was hired by Wakefield during her last year as PHS principal.

“I think she could have done better and gotten more personal with the students,” said Loftus.

Wakefield says she feels satisfied that she has accomplished many of the things she set out to do as superintendent.

Moving forward after retirement, she is planning to take up yoga and spend more time with her granddaughter and future grandson.

Wakefield alluded to having other career opportunities going forward, but intends to wait a few months before taking on anything new.