At the close of tonight’s meeting of the Board of Trustees, Superintendent of Schools Victor White informed the Board of his plan to retire next year.
Speaking on behalf of his fellow trustees, Board President Lynn Kirkpatrick said the group has been honored to have a superintendent such as White. “Victor has served with honor and integrity,” Kirkpatrick said. “I always felt reassured with Victor at the helm. We wish him well on his new chapter.”
White said he felt mixed emotions as he informed the Board of his decision, noting his 42 years of service to the District. “It has been a joy and a privilege to work in the District and to serve the students of this fine community,” he said. “Also, I can’t begin to express the many treasured relationships I have made with colleagues, parents, and community members during my stay.”
White, the ninth person to serve as the District’s top instructional leader and the fourth to have graduated from Deer Park High School, was named superintendent in January 2015. He joined the District as a science teacher and coach at Deepwater Junior High in 1978. After moving to Deer Park Junior High, he became the school’s assistant principal in 1992. He was named DPJH principal in 1994 and continued serving in that capacity through 2007, when he was named assistant superintendent for instruction. He subsequently was named deputy superintendent in 2013 and served in that capacity until he was named superintendent.
According to Kirkpatrick, White has a special bond with Team Deer Park. “We have been blessed with many outstanding superintendents in Deer Park, and while I’m sure that they all loved this District in their own way, I think none of them had the genuine affection for this community and its schools that Victor has,” Kirkpatrick explained. “He simply loves Deer Park.”
When White took office, one of his first acts was to place a greater emphasis on using social media to inform parents and community members about the accomplishments of students and employees. “Victor loves a good story, and if that story involves Team Deer Park, then he loves it even more,” Kirkpatrick added. “We will continue telling stories of our students’ successes, but now it’s time for a new chapter in Victor’s story. We wish him the greatest of adventures, the most exciting plot twists, and the happily ever after he deserves.”
White’s retirement will be effective on Aug. 31, 2020.
