Portage Township Schools Superintendent Richard Weigel retired abruptly during a school board meeting Thursday.
School Board President Andy Maletta confirmed Weigel requested the board accept his retirement.
Weigel’s exit was “not a complete surprise,” Maletta said. But the timing was.
“It was a surprise it happened relatively quickly for him,” he said.
Before a standing room only crowd at the administration building, with teachers and other employees pouring into the hallway, Maletta read a statement thanking Weigel for his service and indicating Weigel sought the retirement, even with about 18 months remaining on his contract, to spend time with his ailing mother.
“We appreciate the positive things (Weigel) did during his time here,” Maletta said. “We will not miss a beat in educating our kids through this movement forward.”
Weigel oversaw the creation of a Teen Court in conjunction with a Porter County judge and the creation of an employee health clinic at the high school during his time in Portage.
More Top Picks Best Sandblasting Cabinets
Privately, several board members criticized Weigel’s performance recently, especially in addressing their requests for action plans on key items like improving high schoolers’ performance in ISTEP tests.
The board hired Weigel in June 2014, and his contract extends through June 2018. The separation agreement the board signed with Weigel calls for the former superintendent receiving the remainder of his $141,000 salary and health benefits through next June.
Weigel did not attend the Thursday meeting.
Director for Secondary Innovation and Achievement Amanda Alaniz was appointed interim superintendent.
“Dr. Weigel has done some wonderful things for our district,” Alaniz said after the meeting. “(Weigel) brought in innovation and trusted me to lead the pack in that innovation. He’s been a mentor, he’s been a coach, and, truly, for this being so abrupt, it comes as a shock.”
In his letter to the board, Weigel, 64, cited his mother’s poor health as a reason for his retirement, Maletta said. He said that Weigel also had some health issues.
Weigel is currently using three weeks of vacation. His last day in the district will be Jan. 3, Maletta said.
A message left for Weigel was not immediately returned Friday.
Weigel was hired as Portage superintendent in 2014 from a school district in Niles, Mich., where that district bought out his contract one year early.
Portage Association of Teachers President Deb Porter said she had a good working relationship with Weigel. She was “taken aback” by his departure and wished him well.
“I don’t know of any overtly hostile feelings toward Dr. Weigel,” Porter said. “Everybody doesn’t like change. To say that there (was hostility) between him and his staff would not be true.”
“It was a big adjustment when he came,” she said. “He has a very different leadership style than what we were used to.”
Alaniz was promoted to Director for Secondary Innovation and Achievement in July. Her current salary is $91,000, according to her contract posted online.
She previously was the principal of Central Elementary School since 2012. She has held other posts in Portage schools including assistant principal and dean of students at Fegely Middle School.
The board hopes to draw up Alaniz’s contract in the next few weeks, Maletta said.
He cited “her ambition” and said she was “well liked” in the district.
“I think the board was very unified in her selection,” he said. “I think she is going to be a dynamic superintendent.”
“It’s a change, but I think it’s going to be a good change,” he said.
Michael Gonzalez is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.