Traverse City School Board Issues Statement On Ann Cardon

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The Traverse City Area Public Schools Board of Education says former St. Joseph Public Schools superintendent Ann Cardon remains at the helm of the northern Michigan school district. In a statement released this morning, the board says there “has been much speculation in the community about TCAPS and the future of the Superintendent,” calling the turmoil in the district “unfortunate.” Cardon has been on the job for just over two months in Traverse City and has had a few issues pop up with board members on things like how often she wants them to meet, how to handle the district’s budget, and the fact she’s yet to meet with the teachers’ union. Board member Erica Moon Mohr called out others on the panel on Friday, saying they’ve bullied the superintendent while roughly three dozen people spoke in support of Cardon during a raucous meeting that same day. The board held a closed session for about an hour and a half after taking the public comment, and emerged saying Cardon remained the superintendent. She is not doing any interviews, citing personal issues and asking for privacy.

Here is the statement from the Traverse City Area Public Schools Board of Education:

“Over the last few days there has been much speculation in the community about TCAPS and the future of the Superintendent. It is unfortunate that there has been significant conjecture, conjecture which fails to acknowledge that the Board has an obligation to uphold, and employees have a right to expect, privacy under the law when requested. The Board takes its oath and Standards of Practice very seriously, including its charge to: “Maintain the confidentiality of privileged information including that shared in closed sessions of the board.” Both Superintendent Cardon and the Board of Education remain resolute in our collective focus on our students and their learning. We are confident that our incredible team of professionals will continue to advance our mission, which is that we exist to educate, because education improves the quality of life for all. Additional information will be shared when available and appropriate. At this time, Ann Cardon has requested privacy and will not be conducting media interviews.”