Outgoing leader eases transition
During a period of fiscal uncertainty in Sharon that meant big cuts to the School Department, and at a time when demand for top superintendents makes them hard to come by, the idea of Claire Jackson retiring last September alarmed members of the School Committee.
Jackson, 63, had plans to start her golden years by spending time with her new grandchildren and sailing in Narragansett Bay with her husband. But she realized the pickle the district was in. So, to help out, she decided to stay on for a sixth year as superintendent -- for only 20 percent of her salary. The money she is saving the district has allowed the schools to keep two teachers they would have had to lay off.
"It's a perfect solution," Jackson said recently. "We've found a way to save the town a great deal of money, while allowing me to step down to retirement in a very energetic way."
Through the Massachusetts Teachers' Retirement System , Jackson receives 80 percent of the average of her three highest-paid years. She is paid the difference of 20 percent, or $36,266 , making her salary the same as it was last year. She estimates that she is saving the district about $100,000 that would have been paid to her replacement.
"I don't think this would work for everyone, but it works well for us," said Jackson, who has cut her hours from about 70 a week to "whenever I have to be there," which usually means attending meetings and telecommuting from home in Millis. She said the agreement was that she would work about a third of the time.
Donald Gilligan , chairman of the School Committee, said that after the layoffs of 25 school employees last year, Jackson's decision to stay came at a crucial time.
"We really wanted to keep her on, because the district itself is going through a difficult financial time," he said. "We felt that if we could keep this team in place while we try to move forward, it would be very helpful."
The School Committee was eager to keep her on board, Jackson said, because members recognized how competitive the market for superintendents has become in recent years.
"They certainly saw a large number of openings, given the complexities of finding a superintendent in the 21st century in Massachusetts," Jackson said.
Jackson, who said she would have eventually worked part time elsewhere if this opportunity had not materialized, has worked in public education for 38 years. She said that staying in Sharon allows her to continue with projects she began during her superintendency, such as the study of the Chinese language through a grant and an international exchange program. Next year, the schools will have their first exchange of about 10 students with a school in Xi'an, China.
"We can keep the momentum without breaking in a new superintendent," she said.
Though she said she will probably renew the part-time arrangement for next school year, she insists she will be off-limits after that.
"This is just a temporary solution, and it's unique in that there is strong communication between myself and the School Committee, and between myself and the administrative team," she said. "I'm just happy that I've had the ability to retire and give something back at the same time." 