It’s time to let some things go,? said a teary-eyed Todd Dunckley before a packed school board audience March 25.
For the second meeting in a row, students, staff and community members gathered in support of Dunckley, LOHS principal, whose contract renewal was an action item on the agenda.
‘While I make the necessary changes in my leadership, I am very fortunate to be offered continued leadership within this district,? Dunckley said, as he announced his transfer to an unnamed Orion middle school.
Rumors suggested the board did not intend to renew his contract after this school year, but after a closed executive session with the attorney and Dunckley, School Board President Bill Walters amended the agenda to include the transfer.
This is Dunckley’s eighteenth year as a school administrator and his ninth in Orion schools. He says he never saw it coming and was shocked when he heard his contract might not be renewed.
‘It paralyzes your thinking for awhile,? he said. ‘You go to the quickest, deepest thinking to try to sort things out.?
Dunckley will remain LOHS principal for the remainder of this school year and will begin his new position on July 1. He plans to finish out his career in Orion schools with no intention of looking elsewhere.
Both he and Superintendent Ken Gutman urge residents and students to view the change as positive.
‘There is no doubt in my mind that as we move forward, Todd Dunckley will be a very successful administrator in this district. I put my confidence in him to do well, succeed, and to work with all of us side-by-side to remain an integral member of the Lake Orion Community Schools,? Gutman said.
‘I ask you for your continued trust to let Ken Gutman and I work together with the support of this board,? said Dunckley. ? We’ve talked and we are determined to move forward in a positive fashion. Please allow us this opportunity.?
Shaking heads and disappointed ‘Nos? came from the audience as Dunckley made his announcement. Three students took the podium, expressing their disgruntlement. Each accused the board of playing games and following private agendas.
Former School Boardmember Leann Bartley said ‘I have never been quite so disappointed. I think this is a farce. I seriously hope that you reconsider.?
Boardmember Bob Gritzinger ended by saying ‘I think that Todd Dunckley clearly has much to offer Lake Orion schools and I would hope that we can all move forward in a positive direction from this point.?