Re-2 Superintendent Heather Grumley Announces Retirement

Garfield Re-2 Superintendent Heather Grumley has informed the Garfield Re-2 School Board of her intent to retire at the end of the 2024-25 school year.

Grumley will continue as Superintendent through June 30, 2025.

Grumley began with the Garfield Re-2 School District in 1993 as a teacher at the former Roy Moore Elementary School. After a year hiatus traveling with Up With People, she returned to the District as a 4th grade instructor at the K-8 Riverside School, now Elk Creek Elementary. Prior to ascending to the superintendent's position, she served as assistant superintendent for three years, as Principal of Graham Mesa Elementary for seven years, and as an academic coach at both Elk Creek and Kathryn Senor Elementary schools prior to that.

“Serving Garfield Re-2 for over three decades has been one of the greatest honors of my life. As a devoted employee and advocate for this district, I have worked alongside many talented and dedicated colleagues who share the same commitment to excellence. Together, we have laid a strong foundation for the future, and I believe the district is in an excellent position to continue its forward trajectory,” said Grumley.

Grumley cites the development of the strategic plan and the stabilization of the District’s finances as major accomplishments as Superintendent. After 32 years in the Garfield Re-2 School District, her love and commitment to education can not be measured.

“While I am stepping down from my role, I do so with confidence that the right leadership will carry on the important work we’ve started. The district’s path forward is clear, and I trust that the Board will select someone who will continue to advocate for our students and build upon the progress we’ve made,” explained Grumley.

Garfield Re-2 School Board President Britton Fletchall said Grumley will be missed.

“We do not want her to go,” emphasized Fletchall. “And, we honor Superintendent Grumley’s desire to transition to a new chapter in her life.”

The School Board will now begin a nationwide search for a new superintendent, a process that he said he hopes Grumley will be an active participant in.

“We hope that she will continue to be a part of rebuilding the leadership of the school district,” explained Fletchall. “It will be important for her to have a voice in the future of the District where she has had such a significant impact.”

“The Strategic Plan”, said Fletchall, “will be the cornerstone in the search for the next leader of Garfield Re-2.”

“The Board, our leaders, and our staff are completely bought into the work we are accomplishing through the Strategic Plan and we are seeing improvement,” he said. “We want to continue on that trajectory.”

Superintendent Grumley’s official letter of retirement will be part of the November 13, 2024 school board meeting. The next steps for the School Board include issuing a Request for Proposals from qualified agencies that can assist with the Superintendent selection process. 

“We hope to have a variety of public participation opportunities for both our staff and community as we move forward. Those details will come once we select a partner to conduct the search with,” explained Fletchall.

“Thank you once again for the opportunity to give my life to serve this district. It has been a privilege to dedicate myself to Garfield Re-2, and I will always be a proud member of the district that has raised me,”  said Grumley. “It’s been an amazing ride.”