Claire Bugen Letter Video: https://youtu.be/QLouQeGyscg
Shawn P. Saladin, Ph.D. Letter Video: https://youtu.be/9WEcBW14ETc
TSD Board to Begin Search for Next Superintendent
August 16, 2022
Good afternoon TSD Staff, Families and Community,
The purpose of my announcement today is to let you know that the Texas School for the Deaf Governing Board has begun the public portion of its search process for a new Superintendent of TSD. We began this conversation with our current Superintendent last spring and we have had periodic updates from our Human Resources Director at our last few Board meetings.
Claire has let us know about her intent to retire in the near future. She has not announced a date and is flexible about remaining until a suitable candidate is identified, including remaining on to ensure a smooth transition period, which we have yet to define.
With Claire’s 54 years in education of the deaf—the last 47 of which have been here at TSD, we can hardly call this unexpected. Nonetheless, it’s also no secret that the pipeline of talent for replacing her will present significant challenges. Claire’s leadership, vision, strategic planning and commitment to building community relationships have put TSD on the map. Under her watch TSD has become a national model for schools and programs for the deaf. That’s why we are approaching this search carefully.
HR has made significant progress in defining the qualities and characteristics of TSD’s next leader. We will be bringing those qualities and characteristics to several community forums to listen to you and broaden the input that we have received thus far. Additionally, at our next Board meeting on August 25th and 26th, we will approve a search firm to assist the Board in this process.
We look forward to working with you on this search.
Sincerely,
Shawn P. Saladin, Ph.D.
President, TSD Governing Board
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August 16, 2022
Dear TSD Board, Staff, Families, Colleagues and Community,
The purpose of this letter is to let you know that I have been working with the TSD Governing Board in planning for my eventual retirement. This is not a good-bye message and I don’t have any firm date set, but I wanted you to hear it from me before my position is posted and the search becomes more active.
If the truth be told I could work at this job forever, and there is never a day that I don’t wake up eager and excited to be here. I think you all know I love TSD with all my heart. This is my family, and my relationships with each of you have taken me on a journey I am deeply grateful for.
But having said that, 54 years in deaf education, 48 here at TSD, and the past 25 as Superintendent is more than half a lifetime. Perhaps the hardest sentence for me to say is, “It’s time.” Letting go and admitting “it’s time” is more challenging when you love so what you do, especially the people.
I have had the opportunity here on campus, statewide and nationally to be both a teacher and a learner in meeting the needs of deaf students, their families and the professionals that work with them. I am grateful for those opportunities.
We will keep you posted on the progress of our search and look forward to your participation and input as things progress.
With love and deep gratitude,
Claire Bugen
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Download or view PDF version below:
Claire Bugen PDF Letter and Shawn Saladin, Ph.D. PDF Letter:
TSD website: https://www.tsd.state.tx.us/apps/news/article/1643854