Cedar Springs Elementary Principal Cynthia Spurgeon plans to retire at the end of this school year after 16 years in the position.
Her official last day with the Northwest R-1 School District will be June 30.
Spurgeon said it has been a privilege to work in the district as an elementary school principal.
“I love the challenges and complexity of the building leadership role; it is rewarding on so many levels,” she said. “The relationships I have built with students, staff and families over the years are priceless. I feel so blessed that I was able to build a career and make a living doing what I love.”
Spurgeon, 57, of Byrnes Mill is engaged to Jim Bourland. She has a son, Austin Spurgeon, 28, who lives in Union Grove, Wis., and a daughter Alysia Taylor, 31, who lives in Aubrey, Texas, with her husband, Justin Taylor. Spurgeon also has three grandchildren, Alivia, Aida and Alaina Taylor, and a fourth granddaughter due to be born in January.
Spurgeon said she looks forward to traveling within the U.S. and abroad, camping and spending more time with her family. She said she will always “bleed blue” for the district.
“Northwest Schools is an incredible gem of a district. I cannot say enough good things about our board of education, district leadership, teachers and support staff. I love Lion Nation dearly and am so proud to have been part of this quality organization.”
Spurgeon earned a bachelor’s degree in elementary education in 1991 from Northwest Missouri State University, a master’s degree in educational leadership in 2001 from Pittsburg State University and an education specialist degree in educational leadership in 2008 from St. Louis University.
She has worked in education for 34 years, with 23 of those in the Northwest R-1 School District. She first worked as principal at Murphy Elementary from 2003-2010, before becoming principal at Cedar Springs Elementary in 2010. Spurgeon’s annual salary as principal is $136,828.60.
As of Monday, the district had not posted a job listing for the Cedar Springs Elementary principal position, and no official annual salary range has been determined. The person who replaces Spurgeon would start on July 1, said Mark Catalana, the district’s chief human resources officer.
Grace Green, interim superintendent, said the district appreciates Spurgeon’s years of dedicated work for the district and wishes her the best in her retirement.
“As Ms. Spurgeon retires, we are grateful for the lasting impact she has made on our district. Serving in multiple elementary schools in Northwest, she has been a steady, positive leader who consistently ensured students and staff first,” Green said. “Her support for teachers and commitment to student success have strengthened every building she touched.”