Superintendent Debbie Thompson’s 40-year education career that began as a second-grade teacher at a private school in Oxford will end June 30, 2011 in retirement.
Last week, Mrs. Thompson informed the Board of Education that she will retire next year allowing the District plenty of time to find a new superintendent and create a seamless transition.
In her tenure as Superintendent she and the Board of Education navigated the District through difficult budgets brought on by Michigan’s financial woes, but also oversaw a successful bond campaign that brought two long sought after new middle schools to the District. Both schools open in the fall.
In 1974, Mrs. Thompson started her career with Lapeer Community Schools as a third and fourth grade Chapter I Reading teacher at Hadley Elementary School. Previously she had been a second-grade teacher at Kingsbury School in Oxford starting in 1971.
During her career she held a variety of posts including Title I teacher, Administrative Assistant for Staff Development, Curriculum Coordinator, Director of Curriculum, Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction, Interim Superintendent of Schools and finally in 2005, Superintendent.
From 1988 to 1992 she was an elementary school principal in Linden, the only time she was absent from the Lapeer District during her long career.
“I am excited to continue working next school year as we open and operate our two new middle schools,” said Mrs. Thompson. “It is a dream a long time in the making! In addition, I am energized by the enthusiasm of our current staff and the potential of the new staff we are in the process of hiring. I look forward to leading the District as we work to make LCS the best possible learning environment for all of our students.”
Mrs. Thompson received a Bachelor’s and Master’s Degree from the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor and did advanced course work in educational leadership at Eastern Michigan University. She is listed in the 1988 Who’s Who in American Education and was named the 1984 Distinguished Educator for Lapeer Community Schools.
“At a time when the District needed strong leadership and vision, Mrs. Thompson admirably exemplified those assets during her time as Superintendent with Lapeer Community Schools,” said Board of Education President Bill Laidlaw. “She has been a pleasure to work with and a team player with the Board of Education in moving the District forward. She will be deeply missed when she retires.”
