DOWNEY - Dr. Wendy Doty, who plans to retire as DUSD superintendent next March, formally announced her plans in a letter to Downey teachers today.This newspaper reported two weeks ago that Doty will step down in March after 31 years with the Downey Unified School District. "One of the great parts of being an educator is the fresh start that each school year brings," Doty wrote in the letter. "With the exception of the year my son, Ken, was born, I have experienced this exciting new beginning every September since I was five years old. This year is special for me because it is my last opening of school. I will be retiring at the end of March 2013 after 38 years in the field of education and 31 wonderful years in the Downey Unified School District. "You may wonder why March and not June. Again, Ken, who is now 31, takes priority; he is getting married in May. It is important to me to be able to enjoy the festivities!" Doty began her career in Downey as a teacher at East and South (Sussman) middle schools before being promoted to vice principal at Warren High School. She later became principal at Griffiths Middle School and then a district office administrator. She was named superintendent in 2003, taking over from Dr. Ed Sussman and becoming the school district's fifth superintendent since it was incorporated in 1961. The Downey school board will meet in a special session Friday where they are expected to hire a search firm to find Doty's successor.

********** Published: September 6, 2012 - Volume 11 - Issue 21