The superintendent of Wichita Public Schools will retire at the end of the school year

WICHITA, Kan. (KWCH) – Wichita Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Alicia Thompson released a letter to parents Thursday announcing her retirement at the end of the school year. Dr. Thompson has led Kansas’ largest district since July 2017.

Thompson, a Wichita Heights High School graduate, began her 25-year career on $259 as a teacher at what was then Ingalls Elementary School.

“She transitioned to a building manager and then a district-level administrator before her appointment as Wichita superintendent in the spring of 2017,” the biography for Thompson at Wichita Public Schools website say.

The mandate of Dr. Thompson’s leadership of Wichita Public Schools included challenges related to the COVID-19 pandemic and transitions to distance learning.

Below you can read the chief inspector’s letter to parents:

Hello WPS parents and guardians,

It is with great pride for all of your students and our district has come together that I am writing to let you know that I will be retiring from Wichita Public Schools at the end of this school year. I have been a part of the WPS family literally my entire life and for 31 years have dedicated my career to educating the children of Wichita. I have had the honor of serving as your superintendent since 2017 and the time has come that I will now be able to retire through the KPERS system, effective at the end of the 2022-23 school year. Until then, I will continue to give 100% to our students and this wonderful school district.

Our district has accomplished so much through the course of our Every Student Future Ready strategic plan—increased graduation rates, increased early childhood education, a remarkable transformation of our Career and Technical Education program, and certificates earned by WPS students, the creation of the Early College Academy, strong and impactful community and business partnerships, the creation of the Superintendent’s Legacy Fund and golf tournament, and a commitment to safe school environments that focused and held during the COVID crisis. I remain your trusted supervisor and leader through the end of this school year, and we will continue to focus our collective efforts on a task force that has student success at its core.

I chose to announce my intention now so that our Board of Education has sufficient time to search for a new superintendent. I have informed the board of my decision and I know they plan to hold their first public discussion about the process at their next meeting this Monday. Please know, you have elected leaders who are committed to the success of this district and each of your students. I am confident that they will continue to honor and support our strategic plan and continue to make the best decisions possible with the success of our students at the forefront. In addition, we have outstanding district leaders who will continue to support and inspire our staff and students to achieve greatness. BOE President Reeser will share more with you after Monday’s BOE discussion.

Please know that it has been my deepest honor to serve our community and my school district as your superintendent.

With respect,

Alicia Thompson

Chief Inspector

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