The Fox C-6 School District is searching for its next assistant superintendent of human resources.
Kelly Bracht, who has served in that role since the 2015-2016 school year, has announced plans to retire at the end of the school year, Fox Superintendent Paul Fregeau said.
“We will miss Dr. Bracht greatly,” he said. “Her knowledge and experience in all aspects of the HR world will be missed. Personally, I will miss our collaborative discussions about work issues and our personal talks about our mutual love of animals.”
Bracht came to Fox after serving as an evaluation coordinator in the Fergson-Florissant School District.
She has been an educator since 2001 and worked for the Hazelwood and Ferguson-Florissant school districts as a teacher and administrator.
“I don’t have any future career plans right now, but that could always change later,” Bracht said. “My immediate focus is going to be on spending more time with family, traveling and possibly doing some volunteer work.”
Fox advertised the open administrative position, which is part of the superintendent’s cabinet in October and accepted applications through Nov. 12.
Fregeau said the district would like to hire the next assistant superintendent for human resources this month.
The salary range for the next assistant superintendent for human resources is $145,000 to $175,000 per year. Bracht’s salary for this school year is $163,255.
Fregeau said Bracht’s final contracted day with the district is June 30, but her last day working at the district has not been determined because she may have vacation days to use up.
“The new person’s official contract will likely start July 1, but if we are able to work out a way for that person to spend some time working with Dr. Bracht during the spring semester, that would be beneficial,” Fregeau said.
Bracht said she will do whatever she can to help with the transition for the incoming assistant superintendent for human resources.
“I want to be sure he or she is set up for success and that this can be a smooth transition for the district,” she said. “The details of the transition plan will likely depend on several factors, including who is hired for the position, that person’s availability with their current employment and any arrangements the district is able to make for me to spend some time working with the new person before my departure.”
Bracht said the next assistant superintendent for human resources will need a strong understanding of employment law, district policies and procedures, and the various areas that human resources oversees.
She also said the person will need to be organized and have good interpersonal and communication skills to help build strong relationships in the district.
“They will need to be a great leader who can have tough conversations with a person but have them feel valued afterward,” Fregeau said.
He said Bracht has been a valuable asset to the Fox district and praised her for creating a hiring process, revising policies that have benefited employees and expanding the district’s employee recognition programs.
“Her knowledge of policies and associated laws is exemplary,” he said. “Furthermore, she always looks to be fair and equitable when looking at districtwide issues that impact our people.”
Bracht said she is proud of her work with the district.
“It’s been my goal to support our staff and to leave the department in a great position when I’m no longer here so that the new person has a smooth transition,” she said. “That being said, I’m most proud of the relationships I’ve been able to develop in the district over the years. I will miss the people I work with and the relationships I’ve built.”