So much for the Rick Dunlap Era in Upper Darby schools.
Ending weeks of intrigue surrounding the superintendent's status, the Upper Darby School Board announced last night that Dunlap will retire from the district Sept. 7.
Until then he's on vacation. He apparently had been on paid leave since he was last seen in the district July 21. His resignation, according to the board, was submitted just prior to last night's school board meeting, which is why it was not listed on the boards' public agenda.
What we don't know, frankly, is a lot.
We don't know why Dunlap is leaving, or if this is of his own accord.
At least one person is not buying the district's story. That would be state Rep. Margo Davidson, D-164. The Upper Darby Democrat was at the meeting last night and made it clear she has her doubts.
"I don't have much to add other than the fact that Dr. Dunlap's voice was effectively silenced today, and I'm troubled that his so-called 'resignation' and so-called 'vacation' was lauded as a matter of personnel," she told the board during the public comment portion of the meeting. "I find it convenient that the board hides behind personnel decisions when members of the board themselves said he was on administrative leave.
"Dr. Dunlap's vision was to honor a diverse community where all students achieve. I tell you today, as long as I live and breathe, I will continue to fight for that vision. Just because Dr. Dunlap was silenced today, his vision will live on for the people who live, work and go to school here in Upper Darby."
The board offered no other comment on the situation.
Dunlap likely will not be talking, no doubt so as to not endanger any severance package with the district as well as any possible future employment.
So we're left to wonder what went wrong? Why was the guy who was given glowing reviews - and a five-year contract extension - suddenly leaving the district?
A lot of people believe it had to do with a plan to address racial and class size imbalances in district schools. That plan is believed to have rubbed a lot of people the wrong way.
Dunlap is gone, but the problems he apparently wanted to address are not. Maybe the school board should keep that in mind as they look for their next superintendent.
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