By Heather Graves
Editor
GREEN BAY – Steve Murley has stepped down from his role as superintendent with the Green Bay School District, effective immediately, citing ongoing health issues.
The School Board accepted Murley’s retirement during closed session prior to the Monday, April 11, regular board meeting.
School Board President Eric Vanden Heuvel said Murley requested the board accept his retirement due to personal health reasons that he and his family have determined require his full attention.
“The Board of Education wishes to extend our gratitude to Mr. Murley for his service to our students, staff and families,” Vanden Heuvel said. “Mr. Murley joined the school district during a pandemic and led through the challenges and constantly changing circumstances. We wish him all the best as he understandably needs to focus on his health at this time.”
Murley said he is thankful for the opportunity to serve Green Bay students, families, staff, board and community.
“A school district is measured by the commitment of each of these groups to our children and their achievement,” Murley said. “Success requires hard work, dedication, leadership and vision. This district has shown extraordinary commitment through the most difficult period of time ever experienced in public education. I would like to express my heartfelt appreciation to all for their support of the district and our children during my term as superintendent. There is much to be proud of in the Green Bay Area Public School District, and I am humbled and grateful to have worked with all of you and to have served the families and students of Green Bay.”
Murley was recently diagnosed with deep vein thrombosis (DVT) – which occurs when a blood clot (thrombus) forms in one or more of the deep veins in the body, usually in the legs – and has been dealing with complications stemming from it.
“The board knew about it,” Vanden Heuvel said. “He’s having some procedures and has been working from home. (Things have) continued to (become) complicated, and he had the difficult decision with his family that the stress and the amount of work that was required of being a superintendent and managing this disease would not go hand in hand.”
Also during closed session, the board appointed current deputy superintendent Vicki Bayer as interim superintendent, effective Tuesday, April 12.
“Ms. Bayer’s vast knowledge of the district, her advocacy on behalf of all students and her relationships with staff, students and parents will ensure a smooth transition,” Board Vice President Laura McCoy said. “I have complete confidence in Ms. Bayer’s ability to lead, while the board begins the search for a new superintendent.”
Vanden Heuvel said no timeframe was set for Bayer’s interim position, but it’s “my impression that it will be at least for the remainder of the school year.”
The board will begin discussions regarding a timeline for the district’s superintendent search in the next few weeks.
“A new board will be in place (soon),” Vanden Heuvel said. “I don’t know if they’ll talk about it, in terms of what the next steps are in open session or closed session, but I can only do enough to get us through the next two weeks.”
Murley took over the district’s top job in July 2020 when Michelle Langenfeld retired.