Assistant superintendent sets official retirement date
By Phyllis Moore
Published in News on January 17, 2014 1:46 PM
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Dr. Craig McFadden
An assistant superintendent who had announced last spring that he would retire with the schools' superintendent, but extended that date to ease the district through the new testing mandates, has decided to retire effective March 1.
Dr. Steven Taylor, schools superintendent, shared the news with the Board of Education on Monday night about Dr. Craig McFadden, assistant superintendent for accountability and student services, the district's "testing guy."
"He and I were looking at retiring at the end of next year," Taylor said. "He's not only a colleague but he's also a friend. I have worked with a lot of people. I have never worked with anybody with a stronger work ethic, more dedicated and loyal to students served.
"He's a great member of the leadership team, highly respected and certainly a great asset."
Last April, the superintendent had announced his retirement, with McFadden following suit a few days later. The duo set July 1 as their target date.
One month later, Taylor rescinded his plans, saying he decided to postpone retirement "for an undetermined amount of time" and that McFadden had likewise agreed to stay on.
"It was Dr. McFadden's intention to retire last June to spend more time with family, but he temporarily postponed retirement to help guide the district through the transition to the state's new testing and accountability system," the superintendent said last week. "Our schools have greatly benefited from Dr. McFadden's dedication, work ethic, professionalism and abundant knowledge and experience with testing and accountability.
"His departure leaves a void within our district, and he will not be easily replaced."
McFadden began his education career in 1975 as a school psychologist with Goldsboro City Schools. Since then, he has also worked as the district's director of the exceptional children's program, the director of student services and a principal. He has been in his current role since 1999.