Schools

South Pas School District President Shapiro to Retire

SPUSD Superintendent Joel Shapiro announces his retirement, evidently brought on by a health condition.

Nearly four years after he became superintendent of the South Pasadena Unified School District in December 2009, Joel Shapiro is retiring. According to Sylvia Carroll, executive secretary to the superintendent, Shapiro announced his retirement Monday. 

Parents whose children are students at SPUSD schools were informed about Shapiro's impending retirement in an e-mail message he sent Monday.

"After more than 41 years as an educator, including 26 years as a school and district administrator, I will be retiring at the end of February 2014," Shapiro wrote in the letter. "For some time, I have been dealing with a back condition which is a source of constant pain. I have reached the conclusion that I need to take time to focus on my personal well-being. This means making a transition from the workload and scheduling demands of the superintendent’s position to a different and more balanced lifestyle."

Added Shapiro: "I share this news with mixed emotions. My four years as superintendent in South Pasadena have been the most enjoyable and rewarding part of my career." Shapiro came to South Pasadena from the school districts of Glendale and Burbank.

A special school board meeting to outline the process and timeline for the search for Shapiro's replacement is scheduled today, Tuesday, starting at 5:30 p.m. in the school district's board room, located at 1020 El Centro St. The event is open to the public. Click here to view the agenda


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