STE. GENEVIEVE – Ste. Genevieve School District R-II Superintendent Dr. Julie Flieg has announced her intent to retire at the end of the 2022-2023 school year.
She also announced that Assistant Superintendent Dr. Paul Taylor has been named to the newly-created post of Deputy Superintendent. The position will give Dr. Taylor the experience he needs to assume the superintendency when Dr. Flieg officially retires.
Dr. Flieg announced her pending retirement in a heartfelt letter to the entire R-II family:
Dear SG R-II Family:
After much contemplation and discussion with Jason, my husband, I have made the decision to retire with an effective date of June 30, 2023 (a year and a half from now), and I submitted my letter to the Board during the Executive (Closed) Meeting this past Tuesday evening.
This decision is primarily based on my need to be able to “be there” for Jason, our four children, our parents and, now, our beautiful granddaughter.
SG R-II has been an integral part of my life for 41 years. My journey started at the age of five in kindergarten with Mrs. Bonnie Zerwig.
I was blessed with amazing teachers and support staff throughout my academic career who helped guide me to find my calling in life. Some of these special people included Mr. Bruce Sundblad, Mrs. Delores Roth, Mr. Terry McDaniel, Mrs. Kay Steagall, Dr. Joan Wilson, Mr. Robert Pingel, and many more.
I was also very fortunate to have a high school principal who saw potential in me.
Throughout his career at Ste. Genevieve, Mr. Mikel Stewart hired and/or promoted me at least nine different times— from an assistant in the cafeteria while I was in middle school and high school, to the cooperative office education student in the high school office my senior year, to a part-time secretary during the summer while I was in college, then as a full-time secretary/registrar in the high school guidance office, and on to a teacher’s aide in the behavior program, middle school business teacher, high school business teacher, middle school assistant principal and athletic director, and middle school principal.
I never intended to leave the classroom once I started teaching. But with Mr. Stewart’s encouragement and support, I took the classes, earned the degrees and found myself in administration. I was also blessed to work with Dr. Becky Frelix, who made the decision to obtain her doctorate degree and encouraged—really strong armed—me to join the same cohort and work on mine, too.
But the most influential person throughout my professional career and journey at Ste. Genevieve has been my husband, Jason. Everything that I did and accomplished here is a tribute to his support. He encouraged me every time I talked about going back to school to earn another degree. He supported me when I coached volleyball, traveled with my FBLA students, supervised events after school and as I transitioned to the District Office.
Without his support and that of our parents and children, I am not sure where I would be today.
I am extremely proud and humbled to have been a part of this great school district and to have had a hand in the progress that we have made throughout my employment.
I was always most proud to share with others that our Board members make decisions that are in the best interest of kids.
I am excited to continue this focus throughout my last year and half with the district and look forward to watching it continue into the future.
So, what does this mean for the future of this great district?
To ensure a seamless transition to a new superintendent, I have discussed, and formally requested, that the Board create a Deputy Superintendent of Schools position for one year. The Board approved this position during its Open Session Tuesday night. The purpose of the Deputy Superintendent position will be to provide an effective training and transition period. The individual in this position will work closely with me, other area superintendents and state organizations to learn the various roles and responsibilities of the Superintendent position. The Deputy Superintendent position will also manage all aspects of the April 5, 2022 bond issue if, or when, it passes, to ensure the district’s new superintendent is prepared to effectively manage bond issues and new construction moving forward. Throughout the training and transition period, the Deputy Superintendent will, over time, assume the responsibilities of the Superintendent.
The Deputy Superintendent will serve as the Superintendent in the absence of the Superintendent; provide leadership and direction to all departments to ensure alignment and attainment of the district’s Comprehensive School Improvement Plan goals and strategies; represent the Superintendent, as appropriate, at official school and community functions; communicate with the School Board and the community regarding district programs; ensures compliance with state and federal regulations; administer the school district’s budget; provide effective administration of all schools and departments; and provide educational leadership throughout the school system and community.
Some of you may be wondering why the new Deputy Superintendent position is necessary. Nationwide, statewide, and locally, the landscape of public education has changed drastically over the last several years, and SG R-II has several fronts where we must direct focus, some of which include:
- the Prop SG bond issue;
- the district’s ongoing planning for and response to COVID-19;
- navigating the district’s financial positioning given the uncertainty of Holcim’s taxes;
- the possibility of changes to state legislation regarding public education; and
- the large number of retirements that have taken place in the district office within the last year and a half.
The Deputy Superintendent position offers an opportunity for us to plan proactively for the future of the school district. And it is an approach that other districts in surrounding communities are also implementing in order to ensure a seamless transition for district leadership.
During the Board’s closed session Tuesday night, the Board hired current assistant superintendent Dr. Paul Taylor to fill this position for the next school year. I am excited to share this news with you, as I have the utmost confidence in his ability to step into this role and lead this great district into the future.
Please join me in congratulating Dr. Taylor and wishing him well going forward!
I want to thank all of you for allowing me to be a part of the Ste. Genevieve R-II family.
I look forward to continuing our great work over the next year and a half and the great memories that we will develop together.
Forever a Dragon,
Julie