Detroit ISD Superintendent Thompson to retire

After 37 years in education, Detroit Independent School District Superintendent, Kathie Thompson will retire at the end of this school year. “My career experience has spanned from teaching elementary for 19 years and then moving to administration. I plan to continue to contribute and advocate for public education. I was in the Mt. Vernon district from 1987 until I took the Superintendent job at Detroit in 2019,” said Thompson.

“During my four years in Detroit, we have made many facility improvements and added four buses and a van to our transportation fleet. The addition of our Detroit ISD Police department, a  registered nurse, a Community in Schools coordinator, and an elementary counselor were all made during this time. These positions have become necessary due to COVID and the need for the safety of our students,” said Thompson.

Thompson went on to say “The admin team, the board, and I have worked together to improve the CTE course selection by adding a Certified Nurse aide program, video design, and providing CTE courses at the junior high. Adding these classes increased our funding, allowing us to purchase a van for our CTE travel.   Our students have excelled in their CTE classes receiving 100% passage for the floral design test the past two years, several certified nurse aides, and many certified welders that all left the school workforce ready.” “Fortunately, the board at Detroit has always been made up of people that genuinely care about the students and the education they receive; Our board and administrative team have worked together to make many necessary personnel changes to keep up with the adjustments in educational requirements and the quality of education our students receive at Detroit ISD.”

Henry Sharp, the elementary principal, has been named the new superintendent. Sharp will take the reigns in June.

“I am glad we had someone with his experience already at the district. This will make for a smooth transition.” “My years at Detroit and Mt. Vernon have been rewarding, and I have been blessed in my career to work with so many that became family. I will continue to cheer them on as a retired Superintendent.” – Kathie Thompson