At 8:46 am, the Francis Howell School District community was informed of superintendent Dr. Pam Sloan’s retirement. According to the email, Dr. Sloan wanted more time to to spend with family. Dr. Sloan has been with the district since 1993, when she started as English teacher at Francis Howell North. She has been the district’s superintendent since July 2010.

For band director Nathan Griffin, he did not see the announcement as a shock but as a huge loss. For him, Dr. Sloan is seen as the face of the district and a great leader. Although he is certain she will do her job up to the end, the unknown of the future scares him.

“I’m not shocked because I kind of knew it was coming just because my mom is a good friend of hers. I knew it was on the horizon at some point. It is a huge loss,” said Griffin, “The unknown is scary, for anything.”

Mr. Scott Harris, the activity director, felt the loss of Dr. Sloan as well. Dr. Sloan was present for Mr. Harris’s final job interview. In fact, that was the day after she was announced the new superintendent.

“Well, I’m sad, to be honest. She hired me to this position and my final interview with Dr. Arnel, included Dr. Sloan and that interview was actually the day after she got announced as our next superintendent. It was a neat chance to meet her,” Harris said, “Getting to know her as a superintendent and as a person, she is just a wonderful leader and an outstanding person. It was a pleasure to work with her.”

The Board of Education will begin the process of replacing Dr. Sloan in October. Mr. David Stofer is confident the Board of Education will find someone prepared to take over where Dr. Sloan leaves off and hopes for a smooth transition.

“I think there are plenty of people at central office that could be the next superintendent,” Mr. Stofer stated, “I hope that it is a smooth transition and to move someone in there that will continue the hard work that Dr. Sloan has done and the great tradition that we have as a district.”