CULLMAN – At a special called meeting Thursday afternoon by the Cullman City School Board, Dr. Doreen Griffeth officially resigned as superintendent following her second year in the system, leaving the reigns to Dr. Susan Patterson.
“On behalf of the entire board, I would like to thank Dr. Griffeth for the time she has devoted to the Cullman City School System,” Steven Sides, CBOE President said. “Dr. Griffeth has been a strong instructional leader with great rapport among administrators and coordinators, working long hours and supporting CCS students across all academic and athletic activities.”
Dr. Griffeth was hired in July 2013 and signed a three-year contract. With one year remaining on her contract, the CBOE was able to negotiate a severance package following a sub-par evaluation which was conducted by the Alabama Association of School Boards in recent weeks. The total severance package is $92,578.
However, Sides outlined via a slideshow how the severance package would be handled and explained that the school system would only be responsible for $2,324 to cover Dr. Griffeth’s final six months. (See documents below outlining the package.)
After accepting Dr. Griffeth’s resignation, the school board voted unanimously to hire Dr. Patterson, who was hired in 2014 by Dr. Griffeth as Cullman City Schools Director of Federal Programs and Career Tech.
“The board is confident in our existing leadership team, and because of this, we have asked Dr. Susan Patterson to serve as the Interim Superintendent for the next six months,” Sides said. “Our CFO, Russell Raney, will work with Dr. Patterson to ensure a smooth transition.”
Dr. Patterson had spent eight years as Fairview Middle School principal before making the transition into the city system in 2014. She said the opportunity to serve as interim superintendent was one which caught her by surprise.
“It was suddenly that I learned of the position and I’m very excited to step into the role,” Dr. Patterson said. “As I’ve said I’ve been an educator for 25 years and there are so many possibilities here in Cullman City, they are already doing such great things.”
Dr. Patterson will be allotted a salary of $125,000 and will also receive a $500 per month car allowance for her 6 month term.
View Dr. Griffeth’s full AASB evaluation below, along with all press releases and information released by CCSBOE and Dr. Patterson.
AASB 2015 Griffeth Evaluation by cullmansense
Dr. Susan Patterson to Replace Dr. Doreen Griffeth as Cullman City Schools Superintendent by cullmansense
