Sudbury Public Schools Superintendent Announces Resignation

Sudbury Public Schools Superintendent John Brackett told the School Committee last night he will resign at the end of the school year.

Brackett released a statement late last night, expressing the difficulty in making this decision.

"This is the most difficult professional decision I have ever made," he said in the statement. "I feel blessed to have had this opportunity.  The School Committee members, the wonderful staff and the SPS community have made serving as superintendent very special.  I appreciate the support I have received and heartened by the progress we have made in Improving on Excellence. After much soul searching and with the support of my wife, Ann, I have decided it is time to move on to the next stage of my professional life."

Brackett said he plans on sharing more as the end of the school year nears, and would rather focus on the remainder of his work ahead for Sudbury Public Schools.

"Our students have only one shot at this year in their education and we have to make it the best year possible," he said. "I remain committed to working very hard to improving our excellence.  The work we have started to eliminate bullying behaviors and providing a safe learning environment, our successful initiatives around early literacy and improving learning for every student in the system, and our need to find new and creative ways to provide quality education in a challenging economic climate and with declining resources require, and will receive, my full attention."

Brackett said the School Committee will share its plans, process and timeline for identifying and recruiting the next superintendent. He also said he has assured the Committee that he will fully support and provide the necessary assistance to ensure a smooth transition.

"I am announcing my decision at this time to allow the Committee to begin the search while the pool of candidates is most copious and to prepare for a successful transition," Brackett said.

"I have written this letter in my mind many times over the last several days and realized there is no easy way to do this.  So for now, I will simply say 'thank you' and get back to work."