Trending
NILES -- Ann Marie Thigpen's administrative career has kept her in one place for the past decade, and she'll be able to continue that thanks to a series of moves Tuesday night.
The Niles City Schools Board of Education approved Thigpen's retirement-resignation as the district's superintendent, effective Saturday, then approved her employment to the same position in a five-year, 240-day contract, effective Aug. 4 through July 31, 2031, per the terms and conditions of the employment contract.
Thigpen's base salary will be maintained at its 2025-26 rate for the contract's duration and will not be increased during its term, according to the contract's details provided after the meeting.
Thigpen's career began as a first-grade teacher in Niles in 1994 before she was promoted to elementary school principal in 1998. She served as principal in the district for a decade before taking a spot as the Howland Local School District's superintendent in 2008.
She took the Niles superintendent position in 2015 on a three-year contract, taking over for Frank Danso.
Thigpen expressed her excitement about being able to return.
"It feels awesome -- this is my home; I love this place. I started here as a first-grade teacher, I was a principal here for 10 years, and I'm starting my 12th year as a superintendent," Thigpen said. "It's just like home, sweet home."
"I love the people I work with, and even more than that, I love the work that we have done in this district, and to see all the positive things that have happened -- I always call it a short amount of time, but I guess 12 years really isn't."
Thigpen acknowledged the district's challenges throughout that period, such as a 2022 strike, but noted mutual respect in the district, adding that it's possible to get through anything when it exists.
"I appreciate the board's support, and the community has always been behind me in the decisions that I've made, and the teachers have," Thigpen said. "We may not have always agreed on everything, but again -- we've always mutually respected each other."