Farmington Superintendent on Retirement: 'It's Time'

It wasn't the defeat this year of two Farmington Public Schools bond referendums.

It wasn't the contentious closing of schools in 2010, or the battle over the sale of Eagle Elementary School. 

"It's time for me and my husband to have some time together," Farmington Public Schools Supt. Susan Zurvalec said of her 2014 retirement, announced last week. 

She said she started thinking about leaving when her husband Dave retired five years ago, but felt it was too early then. Zurvalec turns 62 on her next birthday. 

Once she made the decision, "with my husband and my family", Zurvalec decided to announce it, to give the board of education plenty of time to search for a replacement and, hopefully, give her some time to help train her successor. 

"A formal transition period is really beneficial for a superintendent," she said. 

Zurvalec acknowledges the last several years have been "challenging. We have had to make some really difficult decisions." She is also proud of the accomplishments that have come during her nine-year tenure. 

"I am most proud of the staff in this district," she said. "I'm proud of them for their growth, and I'm really proud of the culture we have in this district of collaboration and leadership. We're all committed to doing what's best for kids."

Zurvalec is also proud of the International Baccalaureate (IB) program, launched during her administration. A recent report showed IB, the second largest international program in Oakland County, has attracted more than 40 families to the district.

"It is a shining star and will continue to be a lighthouse for our kids and our families," she said. 

Other highlights, she said, include the new Farmington/Farmington Hills Education Foundation, which has provided thousands of dollars to teachers and programs within the district, and the development of student diversity leaders. Zurvalec said she will continue to be involved in the Minority Student Achievement Network, which will hold its national high school student conference locally in 2014. 

"Our students will be leading a lot of the programs and workshops," Zurvalec said. 

While she will most miss the people with whom she has worked over the years, there is one thing Zurvalec said she won't miss: "Late night board meetings."