Hutchings Hires Wilkins, Again

After a little less than a year as interim superintendent, Wilkins now leaves Shaker to work for the Alexandria City School district

Danielle Krantz, Campus and City Community Reporter|May 20, 2019

David Vahey

Interim superintendent, Dr. Stephen M. Wilkins sits with incoming superintendent Dr. David Glasner at the Nov. 8 community meeting.

Dr. Stephen M. Wilkins, interim superintendent, accepted the position of chief of human resources for Alexandria City Public Schools in Virginia.

Wilkins will be reunited with his previous boss. He became interim superintendent July 1, 2018, after former Superintendent Gregory C. Hutchings, Jr., returned to the Alexandria City Public Schools to become superintendent. Hutchings left his position as ACPS director of pre-k through 12-grade initiatives for the Shaker superintendency in 2013.

Shortly after he became Shaker superintendent in 2013, Hutchings hired Wilkins from ACPS to serve as assistant superintendent of business operations for Shaker.

“The SHTA is grateful to Dr. Wilkins for his service to the district in responding to the Fernway fire. Dr. Wilkins diligence and foresight in organizing and facilitating alternate locations for students and teachers, re-rerouting transportation, and beginning reconstruction has been essential. We wish him the best as he heads to a new position in Alexandria,” stated Shaker Heights Teachers’ Association President Dr. John Morris in an email.

In his previous role for the district, Wilkins “managed construction plans for the expenditure of the District’s $30 million bond issuance, streamlined transportation and custodial services to achieve operational efficiencies and updated human resource systems,” according to a district message.

Wilkins graduated from West Point and served as a colonel in the U.S. Army. He earned an MBA from Harvard University. He previously worked in the Chicago, Alexandria, Dekalb and Georgia public school districts.

According to shaker.org, Wilkins assisted the district in projects, including leading Fernway Elementary School’s emergency relocation after a July 10 fire damaged the building.

In the district news release about the move, Wilkins thanked the Shaker community and wished the district the best.

“Shaker schools and departments are running well as we close out the academic year and head into graduation and clap-out ceremonies. We are also prepared to welcome our incoming Superintendent and High School Principal. As I transition, we can look forward to the continued success of our great District and wonderful community,” Wilkins said, according to shaker.org.

“Dr. Wilkins’ contributions to the Shaker Schools have been invaluable. He has left our District well-positioned for the future. We will miss him, and wish him the very best in his new position,” incoming superintendent and current interim principal Dr. David Glasner said to shaker.org

Glasner will begin his tenure July 1, 2019.

According to Director of Communications Scott Stephens, Wilkins declined to comment further.