Chandler School Supt. Melody Toma said this week she is retiring after 37 years in education.
“I’m going to retire. I have no idea what I’m going to do, but I’m going to retire,” the veteran educator said during an interview prior to Monday night’s Board of Education meeting.
Toma is completing her fourth year as superintendent of Chandler Schools. She’s been with the Chandler School District for 30 years of the 37 she’s been in education, she said.
“I was a principal at Park Road Elementary for 15 years and before that an elementary school counselor six years,” Toma noted.
She spent five years as high school counselor.
Toma stated her retirement is effective June 30, 2022.
In her resignation letter to the board, Toma said, “This decision comes after a great deal of reflecting with my family and did not come quickly or eas ily. For the past 30 years, I have had the honor and privilege to wok and serve our students in various roles within Chandler Public Schools.
“Throughout this time, we have all worked long hours and served our community passionately for a simple but most important reason–to provide our students with the best pos sible future,” she said.
In the letter, Toma also thanked the Board of Education and the staff of Chandler Public Schools for their dedication to the students, families and community. “I would also like to thank you for making me a better person and leader. It truly has been an amazing journey,” she believes.
Toma called Chandler a special community, “that I have been proud to call home for 36 years and I want to thank all of you for your support over the years. I am so proud to have served this unique community,” she continued, adding, “Once a Lion always a Lion.”
The board accepted her resignation during Monday evening’s meeting.
She indicated the board would begin a search for her replacement.