Wendt: Ankeny Schools in Good Hands, Time Right to Move On

Outgoing Ankeny Schools Superintendent Matthew Wendt issued a statement Tuesday about his departure from the district and noted his gratitude for a $176,000 severance package approved by the school board, according to KCCI.com.

The station said Wendt was responding to its request for comment on his . Ankeny school district officials and residents have been buzzing since Wendt resigned last week, was granted a year's severance pay and then signed a contract the next day to lead the school district in Oswego, IL.

Wendt will be replaced by Bruce Kimpston, currently an assistant superintendent in Ankeny. Kimpston takes over July 1 with an annual salary of $182,250.

 comes with a three-year contract with a $225,000 annual salary.

In his statement, Wendt said board members knew that search firms were contacting him about moving to larger school districts.

Since learning of his move, two board members have said Wendt should not accept the severance package.

Wendt's statement to KCCI follows:

"I have been superintendent of the Ankeny School District for 5 years. I loved my job with the district, which included serving the students and parents and working with the teachers, staff, and school board. I am proud of the strides made by the district under my tenure and under the governance of the 14 elected school board members over those 5 years. Because of all of this, I appreciate the opportunity to comment.

"In every profession, opportunities present themselves from time to time, and it is no different in my life. On April 6, 2012, I emailed President Tracy and the board that approximately 2 months prior to that date, I had been approached, once again, by national search firms to consider vacant superintendent positions in larger districts. I informed them that, in the past, I had declined completing applications, approving reference checks, or interviewing. However, I let them know just prior to spring break, I had been invited to another district for an interview, but declined the opportunity. I stated that 3 positions in the United States did interest me, and I had been identified as a "strong candidate" for one of those vacancies. Because of this, that district’s search firm would be contacting my personal and professional references, beginning on April 6. I let them know I had granted permission for the search firm to contact “anyone on my application . . . any Board member (past and present) . . . and any person not listed on my application as needed."

"On May 30 of this year, the board offered me a 3-year contract which included a 3.25 percent salary increase if I remained the district’s superintendent. It also offered me an option to receive a transition allowance that was equivalent to 1 year’s salary without benefits should I choose to resign within the next month. This transition allowance replaced a four-year payout with two years of benefits. Board President George Tracy said that the transition allowance the board offered me was "well-earned over the past five years." President Tracy also stated that the transition allowance would permit me to have “the opportunity to pursue other options,” and that the board also knew that I would "work hard with any interim superintendent to assure a good transition."

"I said at the time of my resignation, and I repeat here, the timing appeared right for me to move on. Significant changes had occurred in key leadership positions within the district as many of our current administrators were moving to positions of greater responsibility both within and outside of our district. It seemed like a good time for the Ankeny School District to transition to a new superintendent, and I know that the district is in good hands with last night’s appointment of Dr. Bruce Kimpston to serve as superintendent beginning July 1.

"I am thankful for the 5 years that I spent as superintendent with the Ankeny School District, for the board’s recognition of a well-earned transition allowance, and for the opportunity to move forward."