Subject:  Next job for Spencer Mullin? Doting grandpa |
Author:
Duplicate Dawg
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Date Posted: 10:27 11/06/09 Fri
In reply to:
Duplicate Dawg
's message, "Spencer Mullin calls it quits just after 1 year as Dracut's School Superintendent" on 16:05 11/04/09 Wed
(published in, Lowell Sun, 11-6-09)
By Erin Smith
esmith@lowellsun.com
DRACUT -- Superintendent of Schools W. Spencer Mullin has heard the rumors surrounding his sudden resignation: the speculation about infighting inside the School Department with School Committee members and the gossip about contract disputes.
He doesn't care what people think.
Mullin said he's too excited about the prospect of using his retirement to take care of his new granddaughter. In an unexpected move, Mullin sent the School Committee a letter Wednesday announcing his retirement beginning March 3.
"I spent almost 37 years working and I missed a lot when my kids were growing up," said Mullin. "I've just spent so much time putting work first, so I thought to myself, this is a second chance."
Mullin, who has a reputation around town for being private, said he didn't discuss his retirement with School Committee members before submitting a resignation letter because he considered it a personal family matter.
"I thought that no matter when I left, I'd be upsetting somebody," said Mullin. "On the upside, I'm really, really excited."
Mullin said his son and daughter-in-law are expecting a baby girl -- his first grandchild -- at the end of the month.
When they first found out they were expecting a baby, they approached him and asked if he would be interested in caring for the baby while they worked during the day, according to Mullin. He had been toying with the idea for a while, but finally made his decision to retire public this week.
Mullin said he will start caring for his granddaughter on a daily basis in March shortly after his retirement, which also coincides with his daughter-in-law's return to work after maternity leave.
As for the school system, Mullin said he's confident the School Committee will have a large pool of talented people to draw from to find his replacement. He plans to continue working toward improving the school system until he retires.
"I'm not going to shirk this responsibility. I never have," said Mullin. "I'll leave it in good condition. Even if they needed me after for a day or two, I'd be more than happy to lend a hand."
Mullin has spent about 25 years of his more than 37 years in public education working in the Dracut school system as a teacher, principal and administrator.
The Hello, Dolly! poster hanging on the wall in his office is a testament to the days when he taught English and theater classes at the high school. The framed 1997 poster marks Mullin's success at bringing back annual Broadway musical student productions to the high school. His students gave him the poster, along with the framed tickets from the April 10, 11 and 12 performances and a folding director's chair with "Dr. Mullin" embroidered on the back.
Mullin said his father's death in September gave him a new perspective on life. Mullin had already lost his wife to lung cancer about 10 years earlier and at the time, the school system was also embroiled in an investigation over whether high-school Vice Principal Hank Golec had misused school surveillance equipment.
Mullin said he discussed the idea of retiring to care for his first grandchild with his father -- who also often served as his confidant -- before his death.
"This has been weighing on my mind," said Mullin.
In the end, Mullin said he chose to make his family a priority and is looking forward to baby-proofing his house. Said Mullin about his decision, "I couldn't be more delighted."
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