Thigpen appointed Niles schools superintendent

By Jordan Cohen | May 7, 2015 at 12:05a.m.

NILES

Ann Marie Thigpen, appointed superintendent of Niles schools by a unanimous board-of-education vote, said she has high expectations for her role as the new district chief executive.

“I want to strengthen programs [because] I am committed to this district,” the new superintendent said to the warm applause of more than 40 people during the special board meeting Wednesday in the high-school auditorium.

Her appointment marks a homecoming for Thigpen, 43, who is a native of Niles and a former school employee of 14 years, 10 of them as elementary-school principal. She has been an administrator for Howland schools for the past six years.

Thigpen will earn a starting salary of $105,000 included in a three-year contract. Board President Tony Perrone said she will not be using the schools’ health care benefits because she plans to stay under her husband’s health care plan. Thigpen said her husband is a Warren City employee.

The new superintendent was selected from a field of 14 candidates. When the field was narrowed to two, Perrone said her presentation at the final interview showed her understanding of the district’s needs.

“She knows the demographics and [our] strengths and weaknesses,” Perrone said. “This was a no-brainer.”

“I lead by example, and I want the teachers to know I am standing next to them,” Thigpen said after the board vote, “[but] the actions I take will be what I consider best for the students in our school district.”

Thigpen said she believes one of the strengths is the top rating awarded by the state for the students with disabilities program. She said she wants to take what works for that program and see if it can be applied to other Niles academic disciplines.

As for weaknesses, Thigpen said technology in the schools has to improve. She said she plans to offer more professional-development courses for teachers to expand technology in the classroom.

Thigpen, the mother of 11- and 10-year-old daughters, said her return to the district gives her a greater appreciation of its potential.

“Sometimes you have to leave to really appreciate the opportunity to come back,” she said.

Thigpen will officially assume her duties Aug. 1 when she succeeds Frank Danso, who is retiring.