Tacoma School Board President Connie Rickman announced June 21 that Superintendent Charlie Milligan will be leaving Tacoma School District.

The school board and Milligan, she noted, â??mutually agreed that it is in the best interest of the superintendent and district to negotiate for his separation/retirement from the Tacoma Public Schools.

Rickman said district officials and the superintendent are currently holding such negotiations, which she anticipates will be voted on at the next school board meeting June 28. â??We have to review the contract and make sure all the tâ??s are crossed and iâ??s are dotted,â?? she explained. â??Both sides will be sensitive to make sure our district and our kids donâ??t get hurt and also minimize the pain he (Milligan) is going through in terms of separation.â?? 

The decision for Milliganâ??s departure was mutually agreed upon by all the board members and Milligan, according to Rickman. â??We all agreed, because of all the factionalizing going on, it makes it very difficult for smooth operation,â?? she commented. â??We all agreed this was the best solution.

â??With so many factions going this way and that way, itâ??s not good for our kids,â?? she added. â??They deserve better than that.â??

Rickman had an inkling it might come down to Milligan leaving. â??Heâ??s been mercilessly barraged by so much,â?? she noted. â??I had a feeling that he might decide in the interest of the kids it might be better if he left.

â??He just seems so discouraged now,â?? she added.

This announcement came following the conclusion of an executive session over four hours long, which concluded the superintendentâ??s evaluation following his first year in office.

Milliganâ??s written performance evaluation prepared by the board will be released to the public June 30, according to Rickman. 

When the superintendentâ??s last day will be is yet to be determined. â??He is willing to work with us in whatever way we need him to,â?? Rickman commented. â??Again, heâ??s putting the kids first.â??

She noted the district would be looking into getting a short-term interim superintendent while a search for a new one is conducted. â??Weâ??re going to move fast,â?? Rickman stated. â??We donâ??t want any disruption of programs.

â??The fastest thing to do is get someone on an interim basis to help plan for next year,â?? she continued, noting Milligan might still need to be involved. â??Thereâ??s going to be some crossover. What that will look like, we donâ??t know yet.

â??Heâ??s so willing to work with us,â?? Rickman emphasized. â??Itâ??s not going to be a problem.â??

Milligan could not comment on the decision or his time at Tacoma Public Schools. He said he has no idea what the future holds for him.

For more details, look in next weekâ??s edition of the Tacoma Weekly June 28.