Aledo ISD superintendent Dan Manning announced in late January his intention to resign from his position after this school year.
“It was actually a very tough decision,” Manning said.Manning, 55, had been superintendent for just one year when he found out last February that he had cancer. After surgery in April, he has been deemed cancer-free but said there were negative side effects.“I just had problems with being tired,” Manning said.Although Manning said he had hoped to continue to be superintendent for many more years, he decided to listen to medical advice and retire from the often stressful job.“A superintendent’s job is probably one of the - if not the - most stressful position a person can have,” AISD board president Bobby Rigues said.Rigues said passion is what drives a superintendent to work the 14- to 16-hour days the job often requires. But in Manning’s situation, Rigues said he will not be able to get the rest he needs while still carrying that load.Rigues, who has been on the board since 2004, worked with Manning throughout his time at Aledo. He said they were all saddened when they first heard of Manning’s cancer, as well as his retirement.“It’s an unfortunate situation,” Rigues said. “But at the same time we’re very happy that he’s gonna take care of himself.”Manning has worked in the education system at a number of positions for about 30 years and said he does not plan on quitting it completely.Manning said he enjoyed the two years as superintendent.“It has been great,” Manning said. “I love working with the staff and of course with the students.”The search process is one that Rigues said could take anywhere from 90 to 120 days. Manning announced his intention to retire early in the year in order to give the school time to search for a new superintendent.“So the district will not skip a beat in its pursuit for quality of education,” Rigues said. “Even in this situation, he’s thinking about the district first.”The school board held a meeting Monday where the letter of retirement was presented and trustees announced they would consider actions for filling the superintendent’s position after Manning’s last day in June.Manning said he wished he could have served the school longer in that position.“I didn’t get to accomplish all I would have liked,” Manning said.But he did take part in changes that can save taxpayers as much as $4 million in the next 20 years. He said he felt that the district, whose motto Rigues said is “Taking it to the next level,” has made positive moves into its future.Rigues said this focus on the district’s future was one main goal when Manning was first selected.“I think we’ve pointed it in the right direction,” Manning said of the district.Have more to add? News tip? Tell us
