GRPS superintendent announces retirement

GRPS superintendent announces retirement

Teresa Weatherall Neal. Photo by Michael Buck

The superintendent of Grand Rapids Public Schools has announced her retirement.

Teresa Weatherall Neal said this morning she will retire on June 30, 2019, after more than seven years in the position.

Wendy Falb, GRPS board president, said the next board, which will be complete with new members in January, will decide the procedure for choosing the next superintendent.

Falb said she expects community participation to be part of the selection process for the next superintendent, slated to be in place on July 1, 2019.

Weatherall Neal said she has given more than 44 years of service to the district.

She said she originally committed to six months as interim superintendent, but she later decided to take on her current role.

Weatherall Neal cited today a number of her accomplishments as GRPS’ leader: developing a transformation plan; re-opening and investing in neighborhood schools; receiving a Michigan Promise Zone designation; increased graduation rates; stabilized enrollment; decreased chronic absenteeism; and more.

“Every fight that I fought was for these children,” Weatherall Neal said.

The district has been part of her life, she said, since she started kindergarten at the former Madison Park Elementary in 1963.

Weatherall Neal said she looks forward to spending more time with family, including taking her grandchildren "to Disney."