By Darcy Mentone of the Vail School District
At the Tuesday night board meeting, the Vail Governing Board accepted Calvin Baker’s retirement effective February 1st, 2020. The board then appointed John Carruth to be the next superintendent in the Vail School District.
Mr. Carruth has deep roots in the Vail School District. He has worked in Vail for 24 years. Mr. Carruth has been a teacher, assistant principal, director of special education in Vail, and – for 15 years – served as the assistant/associate superintendent.
Left to right – Claudia Anderson, M Carruth, Jon Aitkem, and Allison Pratt
A year ago, Mr. Carruth’s superb work in Vail resulted in his selection as Chief of Staff at the Arizona Department of Education. He served in that role with distinction. Mr. Carruth will return to Vail and begin to serve as superintendent in January, 2020. In order to promote a smooth transition, Mr. Baker will work with Mr. Carruth throughout January.
Mr. Baker began his career in Vail in 1987 when hired as the principal of the district’s only school. Then on 8-8-88, he was hired as the superintendent, a position he has held since. Baker stated, “After almost 33 years, it is almost impossible to imagine my life apart from the Vail School District, but that time as arrived.”
When Baker accepted the position of superintendent in Vail, he had absolutely no idea that its 500 students in one school would one day become over 14,000 students in over 22 schools. He led the obscure, controversy-plagued district to become a lighthouse of stability and performance. In a letter to parents, Baker stated: “I’m very proud of the incredible success of our staff and students. The recent announcement that all 17 of our district’s larger schools earned an “A” rating illustrates that success. However, I am most proud of the special connection that our schools have with parents and our community.” While Baker will be sorely missed, his legacy will certainly live on in the people whose lives he’s touched through his many years of dedicated service.
In the next chapter of his life, he hopes to invest more in his family. District demands often blotted out time with his wife of 45 years, his six children, and his 15 grandchildren. The Vail School District wishes him the very best in enjoyment of those he holds most dear!
