As first reported by The Emeryville Tattler, Debbra Lindo has announced her retirement as the Emeryville School Superintendent effective June 30, 2014. Via this press release posted on the EmeryUSD website, Lindo announced her retirement citing “I am announcing my retirement now to give the board enough time to analyze its option regarding my replacement.”

The embattled school superintendent who took over for previous superintendent John Sugiyama in 2011 (Who in turn succeeded Tony Smith who was credited with The EUSD’s turnaround before he left for Oakland in 2007), had come under intense criticism from the blogosphere including this Tattler post calling for her resignation citing lack of support from teachers and her contribution to low morale and this 2012 post on The Secret News citing a “vote of no confidence” by the Teachers Union. There seems to be some speculation that Lindo was forced out or asked to step down and that her “retirement” may be short-lived as the Oakland superintendent position opens up in July of 2014 (coincidentally, one month after her self-imposed “retirement”). The Oakland position was held by Tony Smith until last June when he suddenly resigned and moved to Chicago amid accusations of a coverup in the shooting death of High-School student Raheim Brown in 2011. The position is currently held by Gary Yee who is in the midst of a one-year appointment. Lindo was previously Principal at Oakland’s Castlemont High in 2002. Again, pure speculation.

Lindo has impressive credentials which included a 2008 KQED Local Hero Award and was on staff for the school district’s emergence from State control in 2011. In addition to her role as Superintendent, Lindo also serves as the CEO & Chief Academic Officer for the nonprofit College Track who’s mission is to “empower students from underserved communities to reach their dream of a college degree”. Emeryville based Pixar recently shifted its annual fundraising from the Emery Ed fund to Lindo’s College Track organization.

“I want our exceptionally talented staff to know how much I appreciate them and their devotion to the students of EUSD. I know our students will continue to thrive because of you. I, too, want to thank the City of Emeryville who truly embodies the district’s slogan, Partners Power Student Success. Emeryville is a very special community. With our bold and ambitious full service community schools vision, ECCL is well positioned to become a beacon in the region. We have a philanthropic business community that consistently supports our school’s programs and I am grateful to have had the opportunity to serve this terrific community.”

Lindo can be seen providing the monthly superintendent’s report in this YouTube video provided by EPOA:

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Photo Credit: Lance Iverson/SF Chronicle