Patterson Mill Middle/High School Principal Wayne Thibeault on Monday announced plans to retire at the end of the school year.
In an e-mail to parents, Thibeault said that after a 41-year career, he planned to pursue “other academic opportunities” in retirement and spend more time with family. Thibeault is the third Harford County Public School administrator in the past week to announce his departure from the school system.
On Feb. 4, Superintendent Robert Tomback said that he planned to leave at the end of June when his contract expires to “pursue other opportunities.” The announcement came on the heels of a deadline for Tomback to notify the Harford County Board of Education whether he would seek reappointment to another four-year term. The following day, February 5th, Associate Superintendent Bill Lawrence, Tomback’s second-in-command on instructional matters, announced that he planned to resign, also effective at the end of June.
Wayne Thibeault has been the principal at Patterson Mill since the combined middle and high school opened in 2007. Like Tomback and Lawrence, Thibeault spent much of his career in Baltimore County Public Schools.
Thibeault’s successor will be determined before July 1, based on a recommendation from Superintendent Tomback, according to a process outlined by Teri Kranefeld, HCPS manager of communications.
“Candidates are screened and interviewed,” Kranefeld said. “Successful candidates would be placed into a principal pool typically in the spring. Certificated positions must go before the Board for approval. The Superintendent would make a recommendation to the Board for appointment or promotion to fill any principal vacancies. This process would take place before July 1.”
Below is Thibeault’s announcement, sent to parents via email on Monday:
Dear Members of the Patterson Mill Community of Learners,
I have decided to retire after forty-one years of service to the students and faculties of the Baltimore County and Harford County Public School systems. In my retirement I plan on pursuing other academic opportunities, and to enjoy more time with my family.
Patterson Mill will always hold a fond place in my heart. You are a truly wonderful community, and with your assistance we have built a stellar school.
I will continue to proudly serve as the Principal of Patterson Mill Middle/High School until June 30, 2013, and I hope to see many of you between now and then in order to express my deepest gratitude for all of your hard work and most importantly the gift of your children.
Yours for youth,
Wayne D. Thibeault
Principal
Patterson Mill Middle/High School
Guess now we’ll never find out what happened to the thousands of dollars that went missing .
I don’t believe we would ever find out. But, I hope that the missing $10,000 is what he is remembered for. I can think of nothing that man has contributed to my 3 children who have attended the school. Hopefully the board will ignore any suggestions from Tomback and but a “Harford County” person in.
Mr. T has contributed A LOT. He shows up every day ready to support teachers and students, with a smile on his face and a genuine concern for education in general, and for our school in particular. He provides teachers with the freedom to make professional decisions and creates a positive environment conducive to teaching and learning. If you are not in the school, day in and day out, you wouldn’t be able to see how he’s benefitting your children because he’s not in the classroom, he’s orchestrating a school.
There’s no need to bad mouth a man who is doing a job you most likely do not understand. Do you have any REAL insight into the situation? I’m not willing to allow you to, without opposition, smear his entire career and reputation bc of something that isn’t necessarily his fault or related to him at all. Innocent until proven guilty, right?! If he was involved, then of course he should be held accountable, but he’s been found, after much investigation, to be in the clear. I see no real purpose or any benefit in spouting unfounded opinions based on gossip, rumor and hearsay. Do you?
Please speak the truth or keep your harmful, negative words to yourself. Thanks. ~
Keynote (student) speaker at pmill graduation speaks of Mr T: “Our administrators also taught us some valuable life lessons here. Mr. Thibeault has energetically took time to personally greet each of us every morning with a smile on his face,” Regester said in her speech. “He taught us not only that your face won’t freeze from smiling so much, but no matter what problems overshadow your day, a smile can always allow the sun to gently peak through. On behalf of the senior class, thank you for your fun and smiles and the pride that you have for us and Patterson Mill High School.”
Mr. Thibeault was my math teacher back at the beginning of his career as an educator, school year 1973-74 at McCormick Elementary.
I loved math and still remember him challenging me
Best of Luck, Mr. Thibeault!
Dawn Phillips (Meyferth)
It’s truly very complex in this full of activity life to listen news on TV, thus I only use world wide web for that purpose, and get the latest information.