The Chelsea Standard
A Heritage Newspaper
Weekly Publication
Corbett leaving Chelsea schools after 11 years
By Edward Freundl, Staff Writer
PUBLISHED: April 3, 2008
The Chelsea School District will have a much different look when classes start again in September.
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Adding to the wave of retirements of longtime personnel, Assistant Superintendent Iva Corbett has decided to leave her post of 11 years at the end of this school year.
Also leaving are Chelsea High School Principal Ron Mead (19 years) and teachers Jim Ticknor (35 years), D'Ann Gietzen (26 years) and Sarah Slater (24 years).
"I really am proud of being involved in bringing a lot of wonderful people into this district," Corbett said.
"We've hired more than 150 people during my time, including (Superintendent) Dave Killips, (finance director) Teresa Zigman and (curriculum director) Andy Ingall."
Corbett said the work of all those administrators and teachers allows her to leave the district a better place than she found it in 1997.
"I'm a little nostalgic but quite proud - the district is a better place, and to have to see them come and do a good job makes me proud," she said.
"The whole district has changed in a lot of ways: it's financially sound and academically excellent."
Corbett is capping off a satisfying 36-year career in education, without thought to getting another school-related job.
"It's not about finding another job; I wouldn't leave here just for that," she said.
"There isn't another district or community that's better."
During that time, Corbett has left her mark on scores of past and present administrators.
"She is going to be greatly missed by many people in the district," Ingall said.
"She's been a tremendous mentor to the younger administrators. Her professionalism, leadership and expertise is something we all rely on.
"While most people don't see it on a daily basis, she's had a great impact on keeping the district great and moving us forward," Ingall added.
Killips said he has counted on Corbett as his "right hand" during his tenure at the helm of the district.
"We're losing an absolutely outstanding educator, someone who fights for all students," he said.
"With somebody like her sitting right next to me helping me run the district, I couldn't have asked for anything more."
Vicky Lawrence, administrative assistant to Killips, became a bit misty-eyed when recalling her association with Corbett.
"I was Iva's secretary for two years, I've worked with her for nine years, and I'm going to miss everything about her," Lawrence said.
"She's a friend, she's a calming influence, she's our rock - she's the heart and soul of this office.
"There can't be a bad word said about her."
Zigman said Corbett is going to be "a hard act to follow, no matter who they find."
"It will be hard to find someone with that level of experience, who will also be willing to leave where they are and come to Chelsea," she added.
That will be the challenge, Killips agreed. Although they would prefer to hire from within whenever possible, he said, there is presently no internal candidate with the level of qualifications needed.
"We've done some shuffling the last couple of years, so it's a matter of having the practical, day-to-day experience," Killips said.
"She has set a pretty high standard, put the bar up there, and it will be difficult to meet."
Killips said Corbett came to him about her plan some time ago and he has spent the last couple of years looking for the right replacement, but so far that person has not materialized.
"I wanted to play offense rather than defense," Killips said. "The ideal time is to have someone in place would be by July 1, if we could."
Killips said it all depends on what talents the new person could bring to the table.
"Somebody who has a strong background in elementary education, because Andy and I have the background in secondary education; special education, negotiating, human resources, and somebody with a good handle on finances," Killips said.
"We operate as a team around here, so we're looking for the strongest team member we can find. We take very seriously who we will bring in; it'll be a challenge."
Adding to that challenge is the compensation the district can offer.
Zigman said Corbett actually has been off the district's payroll for two years by being a contract worker.
"She is contracted at $115,000 annually, and has been contracted for two years," Zigman said.
"That's $35,000 to $40,000 a year in benefits we're saving by contracting, that we don't have to pay. That's something else to take into account when looking at what we can offer a new person."
Killips said Corbett was certainly qualified for the superintendent's spot in any district.
"Iva could have been a superintendent any time she wanted, but she turned down several offers," he said. "She chose to stay with us."
Corbett said she stayed because she felt it was worth it.
"I always thought my job was to be a surrogate leader and help Dave and Teresa do their jobs, but there is a point where I can't take any more else off their desks," Corbett said.
"My job has always changed; there was always something that needed to be done, and that's what made it fun."
Her job duties have changed almost every year she has been here, in part because the district's needs constantly changed.
"I was hired as assistant superintendent for human resources and instruction, and when I arrived I found out I was also in charge of technology," she recalled.
"(The job) has evolved; it's whatever the district's needs are. This year I'm in charge of preschool.
"You have to be flexible, if nothing else."
What will she miss the most?
"The wonderful people here. When you work with people your job is never boring."
What will she miss the least?
"The 14-hour days, and watching the changes happening to schools because of financing. That's really sad."
The Detroit native said she has no grand plans for retirement, other than perhaps traveling to Portland, Ore., to visit her son.
"I'm looking forward to putting in a garden, doing some volunteer work; something will come up," she said, adding that "It's all been a blessing."
"Life's been good to me, and I have a lot to give back."
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