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R.I. School for the Deaf director to step down in June - Projo 7 to 7 News Blog | Rhode Island news | The Providence Journal
The director of the Rhode Island School for the Deaf, who took a three-month leave of absence last fall, will step down June 30.
Director Lori Dunsmore returned to the state-operated school on Jan. 6 and resumed her duties. However, she informed state education officials and the school's board of trustees shortly thereafter that she would leave at the end of the school year.
Education Commissioner Deborah A. Gist told the state Board of Regents for Elementary and Secondary Education about Dunsmore's decision at a work session Thursday. (The Regents appoint the school's governing board.)
Dunsmore attended the meeting but said afterward that she preferred not to discuss why she is leaving.
Dunsmore's tenure has been marked by strained relations with some faculty. Dunsmore was hired to make curricular and instructional changes designed to improve the school's low test scores. But some teachers complained about these efforts and said she was not accessible enough as a leader.
In the 2009-2010 school year, the commissioner and the Regents required Dunsmore to report directly to the department. At the start of the current school year, they returned full authority to the school's nine trustees.
On Oct. 6, Dunsmore took a leave of absence. Because of confidentiality concerns, a reason was not given.
Gist said the department, which has continued to provide support to the school and training for the trustees, will help the school launch a search for Dunsmore's successor.
Dunsmore was appointed to the School for the Deaf in 2007. She is the second deaf person to lead the 134-year-old school, which serves about 70 students, ages 3 to 21
The director of the Rhode Island School for the Deaf, who took a three-month leave of absence last fall, will step down June 30.
Director Lori Dunsmore returned to the state-operated school on Jan. 6 and resumed her duties. However, she informed state education officials and the school's board of trustees shortly thereafter that she would leave at the end of the school year.
Education Commissioner Deborah A. Gist told the state Board of Regents for Elementary and Secondary Education about Dunsmore's decision at a work session Thursday. (The Regents appoint the school's governing board.)
Dunsmore attended the meeting but said afterward that she preferred not to discuss why she is leaving.
Dunsmore's tenure has been marked by strained relations with some faculty. Dunsmore was hired to make curricular and instructional changes designed to improve the school's low test scores. But some teachers complained about these efforts and said she was not accessible enough as a leader.
In the 2009-2010 school year, the commissioner and the Regents required Dunsmore to report directly to the department. At the start of the current school year, they returned full authority to the school's nine trustees.
On Oct. 6, Dunsmore took a leave of absence. Because of confidentiality concerns, a reason was not given.
Gist said the department, which has continued to provide support to the school and training for the trustees, will help the school launch a search for Dunsmore's successor.
Dunsmore was appointed to the School for the Deaf in 2007. She is the second deaf person to lead the 134-year-old school, which serves about 70 students, ages 3 to 21