Russell Pickell
By ZEINAB NAJM
Sunday Times Newspapers
RIVERVIEW — Russell Pickell, the superintendent of Riverview Community Schools, will retire at the end of this school year, June 30, 2022. He sent a letter to the board of education Dec. 13 informing them of his decision.
“I am making this announcement now to provide appropriate notice and ample time for the board of education and the community to fill this position with a qualified candidate,” Pickell wrote. “I want to thank you for the privilege of serving the children of the Riverview community and look forward to working with you to find an excellent educational leader for the district we all love.”
During the board’s Dec. 14 meeting, the letter was read out loud by President Timothy Bohr and a resolution to release request for proposal for superintendent search agencies was approved.
Pickell was first selected to become superintendent in 2011 filling the vacant left by former Supt. Dennis Desmarais. Pickell graduated from Riverview Community High School and served as superintendent of Flat Rock Community Schools before being unanimously hired for the job.
During the meeting, the board thanked Pickell for his notice and the time and support to select a new leader for the district.
“There will be more time to reflect on his 11 years of leading the district,” Bohr said. “However, at this time the board wishes to say we appreciate his passionate leadership of our district and its stakeholders through some challenging times.”
Some of the successful milestones during Pickell’s time include the Advance-ED accreditation; the district’s current strategic plan; technology, building and facility upgrades with the passage of the regular construction bonds and sinking fund millages; and building foundational educational opportunities for the children.
“Most recently and most importantly we wish to say we deeply appreciate his leadership and dedication through the COVID-19 pandemic, keeping the health and safety of our kids and staff in mind while providing full face-to-face and remote learning options for our students,” Bohr said.
(Zeinab Najm can be reached at [email protected].)