Rich Alexander announced his intention to resign from his position as Lake Tahoe Unified School District Superintendent when his contract ends July 11, 2000.
Alexander is leaving after nearly two years of unresolved teacher salary negotiations.
He said he will continue working closely with the school board to resolve salary negotiations and to help find a qualified person to fill his position.
"I know the board will follow a search process that will include input from employees and the community," Alexander wrote in a letter to LTUSD employees. "Lake Tahoe Unified teachers, classified staff and administrators are among the finest I have ever encountered in 25 years of work in public education."
Alexander worked 11 years with the district. He began as principal of South Tahoe Middle School and moved to assistant superintendent before taking the district's top job. He said he is leaving to work in Nevada. He did not disclose what he will be doing.
"I want to make sure people know how much I respect this district," Alexander said. "I just feel the need to try out a little something different. I am really going to miss the people here, but I have some great opportunities coming up."
Alexander earned a yearly salary of $95,949 in 1999, which - like the district teachers - placed him near the bottom of the comparables list, a list comparing similar schools that receive about the same amount of state funding.
He often has said he moved to South Shore because he loves the area.
"I came to Tahoe originally for its scenic beauty, but I have stayed because of the terrific people," he said.
The board is planning to use an executive search service to find Alexander's replacement.
"Any process we use will have employee and community input as an important part of it," LTUSD Board President Wendy David said. "We greatly appreciate what Rich has helped us to accomplish these past years and wish him the very best in his new endeavors."
Alexander said he thinks his resignation will bring positive results for all involved.
"I believe a change would benefit the district and myself."
