On a cool winter eve just before the break during the 2024 school year, LPS students, staff and family alike woke up on Dec. 6 to an email from Dr. Paul Gausman. In his address, he stated that he was proud to announce his retirement from the LPS superintendency, as well as some of the academic and policy plans he had accomplished, highlighting his outstanding and well deserved accomplishments while fulfilling the role of the Superintendent of LPS. 

However, without an immediate action plan in place, this left the recipients of this email in a bit of a lingering state, not knowing what would come next. It was in this state that they would stay until Jan. 15 of the following year, when another email was sent. 

Hard launched with great excitement was the confirmation of Dr. John Skretta for the role of Interim Superintendent, until an official replacement could be offered and confirmed in the summer of 2025. An Interim Superintendent, being the person or persons chosen to fulfill the role of being the acting Superintendent until a permanent and official candidate can be presented and installed, is one of the key stepping stones in this transition of power. 

And, as suddenly as it had happened, the announcement was over, and it’s in this state that the members of LPS have stayed until further notice. So what exactly is a Superintendent? What do they do and how does that affect students? Why does any of this matter?

A Superintendent’s role in a public school system is one of great diversity and dedication. They are at the forefront of that school district, often speaking in official press conferences and statements, ensuring that the values of the district are reflected fully and accurately. They oversee and make comprehensive decisions and policies that will affect thousands of people. 

This is a job that requires no less than someone who is ultimately dedicated to the success and safety of their students. Additionally, Dr. Skretta said he wants to maintain consistency and stability while he is in this role.  

. “I don’t intend to make decisions that diverge widely or erratically from the daily in and out,” Dr. Skretta said. “I believe that in the superintendent role specifically, being consistent and stable at a building level is essential for the learning experience and for building a positive student culture.”

According to Skretta, students   , staff and families alike should not anticipate nor fear any upcoming negative turbulence in regards to the office of the LPS Superintendent. 

Turmoil aside, what does this transition mean for LPS in a more positive light? Dr. Skretta illuminated the goals of his interim position, stating “what we are committed to continuing to work on would be strategic plan goals, including ensuring that we’re (LPS) doing everything to support consistent student day in day out attendance, and we’re working very diligently to ensure on time graduation rates.”

These goals are a continuation of the long standing LPS goal of raising graduation rates in LPS high schools, and according to official LPS statistics, they have seen massive success in that the 2024 graduation rate improved from 83.9% to 87.6%, an increase of 3.7%. 

All of the nuances of a public school system, as well as the livelihoods of every student that passes underneath a sign labeled “public school” each morning lies in the hands of the Superintendent, which is why it’s crucial for each one of those students to know what that person does.

 Marking the importance of student success and involvement were the closing words that Dr. Skretta wished to share with the Clarion, marking that “student journalists and incredible publications like the Clarion are very important to contributing to a robust public dialogue about the importance of things happening in your school, and in our community.”