MUSD Superintendent Kennedy announces his retirement

Dr. Steve Kennedy swears in Jackie Johansen as a member of the Menifee Union School Board in December 2018. File photo

By Doug Spoon, Editor

Dr. Steve Kennedy has announced he is retiring from his position as superintendent of the Menifee Union School District.

Kennedy made the announcement on the district’s website and Facebook page this morning. He is leaving the district after seven years as superintendent and 15 years overall. There has been no announcement about an interim replacement.

Kennedy’s departure comes at a time of uncertainty for school districts everywhere as they make decisions regarding opening dates for the next school year and adjustments in instruction that may be made, including continued distance learning, because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Kennedy could not be reached for comment this morning.

“I am writing to inform you of my recent decision to retire after 32 years of California public school service,” Kennedy wrote on the school’s website. “It has been an honor and privilege to serve this amazing school district for the last 15 years with a philosophy that speaks to each child being an individual of great worth.

“I have thought more and more about spending more quality time with my family while rekindling my passion for community service and music and this next chapter in my life will afford me the opportunity to do so.

“While this decision was certainly not an easy one, I am confident that the leadership we have attracted to serve the Menifee Union School District today are well prepared to lead this District to even greater academic heights. My heart is indeed full as I think about the many incredibly warm and genuine relationships I have been fortunate enough to have established here, and I want you to know that your work here is of vital importance to our society’s future. Menifee USD will be in my heart forever and I wish you a life and career that are both well led.”

Kennedy’s time as superintendent was marked by unprecedented growth in the district, the opening of an $18 million district center, the controversial removal of district bussing, contentious contract negotiations with the Menifee Teachers Association, highly criticized superintendent salary raises, and the underlying uncertainty of possible district unification to include area high schools.

The announcement followed two special meetings of the MUSD Governing Board on Wednesday and Friday this week. Both included closed sessions about personnel matters. Board President Jackie Johansen said she couldn’t comment on actions taken in those meetings. She said the decision on an interim superintendent would likely be made “in the next few days.”

“We are grateful for Dr. Kennedy’s many years of service to students and staff,” Johansen said in a prepared statement. “We wish him the best as he heads into retirement. As we navigate the road ahead, we are confident in our staff as they serve and teach the students of the Menifee Union School District.”

Johansen is one of three new board members who were elected in 2018. Bob O’Donnell and Reg Bennett are the only board members remaining from the group that authorized a three-year contract extension in 2017, calling for Kennedy’s salary to be raised to $229,918 in 2017-18; to $236,816 in 2018-19; and to $243,920 in 2019-20. His contract for the final year represented a raise of more than 60 percent over his first full contract in 2013 – $153,723 – when he was named to replace Dr. Linda Callawasy as superintendent. At the time, that increase was similar to or more than what some K-12 district superintendents in Riverside County were being paid.

Angry MUSD teachers and residents spoke out against the contract extension. Brenda Myers, Menifee Teachers Association president at the time, criticized what she said was vague language in the agenda item that made it unclear exactly how much of in increase Kennedy was to be paid. This action was taken at a time when the MTA and district were at an impasse in negotiations over a new contract, which had resulted in teacher and resident protests more than once.

Then in July of 2018, one more year was added to Kennedy’s contract at the same $243,920 amount for 2020-21, according to district documents. Thus Kennedy leaves with one year remaining on his contract. There has been no district announcement regarding the resolution of that contract and Johansen had no comment on the matter.

On May 8, MTA reached a tentative agreement with MUSD calling for a 2 percent salary increase retroactive to 2019. MTA members had until May 21 to ratify the tentative agreement. MTA President Shelli Sullivan could not be reached for comment today.

Meanwhile, details about how instruction will take place during the coming school year have not been announced.

“We are moving through uncertain times and are all feeling the unease,” wrote Heather Tortoreti, chair of the MTA Negotiations Committee, on the MTA website. “MTA will be working throughout the summer to work our way through the rumors, to bring you the most up to date and accurate information as we receive it, and to get the best agreement possible.”