'Mixed emotions:' Darienne Driver stepping down as superintendent of Milwaukee Public Schools

MILWAUKEE -- Darienne Driver is stepping down as superintendent of Milwaukee Public Schools (MPS) to take on the job of president and CEO for United Way for Southeastern Michigan. Her last day at MPS will be July 6. Driver said she's going back to where it all began -- Detroit, where she started her career as an elementary school teacher. "It is with mixed emotions that I share with you my appointment today as the President and CEO of the United Way of Southeastern Michigan. My last day as Superintendent of Milwaukee Public Schools is July 6, 2018. This is a once-in-a lifetime opportunity to use the power of collective impact and equity to improve the lives of young people, their families and the communities in which they live," said Driver in a statement.

The next MPS superintendent will inherit a district that has seen improvements, but still had more than 40 failing schools in 2017. Driver noted in her statement that the district as a whole is no longer failing, making it ineligible for a state takeover.

Abby Andrietsch from education non-profit "Schools That Can Milwaukee" said Driver did admirable work in a difficult job. "There are a lot of different people pulling on you in a lot of different ways," said Andrietsch. Schools That Can works with public, private, and charter schools. Andrietsch said Driver is unique in her willingness to partner with a variety of people and organizations. "She not only reached out, but she reached out to unusual suspects to build those partnerships and to build those collaborations," Andreitsch said. Andrietsch said that includes working with business owners and even private schools on joint initiatives.

"She was just a fabulous person to work with. She loves the kids in this city," said Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett. Barrett noted how MPS had improved its graduation and dropout rates last year while acknowledging the issues the district still faces. "While we all know there are still plenty of challenges because of the poverty and the transient nature of kids who attend Milwaukee Public Schools, I think she has left her mark in the city in a very positive way," said Barrett.

Not every reaction was glowing, however. MTEA President Kim Schroeder said this in a statement from the teachers' union:

Driver's successor will find MPS with improved graduation and dropout rates, but also with 46 schools that failed to meet expectations in 2017 -- more than a third of the state's failing schools.

Below is Driver's complete letter to parents of students, announcing her resignation:

MPS Board President Mark Sain issued the following statement:

Driver became superintendent of MPS in October 2014.