EAST PROVIDENCE — Superintendent Kim Mercer ended all speculation about her status during a special session of the East Providence School Committee Tuesday night, Aug. 18, in Room 306 of City Hall when it was announced in a low key manner she would be retiring from the position as of December 30 of this year.

Mrs. Mercer's decision, which many observers of the School Department felt was inevitable, was read into the record by Ward 3 Committee member Nate Cahoon at the end of the usual Personnel Report portion of the meeting on resignations, leaves of absence and retirement.

Mrs. Mercer, whose three-year contract was scheduled to end in the spring of next year, said the moment was right to step away.

"I'm going to spend more time with my family. We have grandchildren now. After almost 30 years, it's time," she continued during a brief interview at meeting's end.

"It was a very hard decision," she added. "I've been doing this a long time. I've spent my whole career in education. It's been my life."

Mrs. Mercer's announcement precluded a unanimous vote of the Committee to deconsolidate the Human Resources Department, a move which if signed off on by the City Council would once again see the school and city sides have separate directors in that office.

In submitting the request, Mrs. Mercer said the School Department's HR requirements are "so much different" than those on the city side. She noted the need to understand Title 16 education guidelines and other educational components differentiated the expertise needed to fulfill the role for schools.

"I think it's a lot for one person to know," Mrs. Mercer added. "I think both sides would be better served having one dedicated person."

The desire of the Committee and the administration to see the position once again split — it was consolidated by the Budget Commission roughly two years ago — received a boost when state-appointed Municipal Finance Advisor Paul Luba voiced his support of the move Tuesday night. Kathleen Waterbury, hired by the Budget Commission, currently holds the consolidated position.

"I usually support consolidation, especially in the private sector. It's effective and it works," Mr. Luba said. "In this instance, however, I don't think for a number of factors it has worked here. If I had to vote, I would vote to deconsolidate."

Mr. Luba acknowledged Mrs. Mercer's contention the move to split the position would have little impact on the School Department's coffers. Deconsolidation would only slightly alter the approximately $500,000 budgeted for Human Resources and that would only happen if an increase in salary was proposed for the position.

He did caution, though, the need to hire "someone quite knowledgable and very qualified." He added, the Committee "should not hire the least expensive option."

Upon approving the job description for the School HR Director, Mr. Cahoon attempted to ease any of Mr. Luba's concerns by noting the "very specific" criteria of experience with collective bargaining and an understanding of Title 16 were among the focal points.

Said Mr. Cahoon earlier in the discussion while voicing his support of the split, "We need someone who has the savvy to make the right decision on who we hire."

Mrs. Mercer's retirement announcement and the proposed split of the HR directorship play hand-in-hand.

School Committee Chairman Charlie Tsonos expressed his desire to possibly have a school-specific HR director in place before formally starting the search for a new superintendent as well as a new assistant superintendent. Current assistant Julie Motta announced her decision to resign that position last month.

On how the Committee plans to go about the process, Mr. Tsonos said following Tuesday's open session, "There are certain things we're going to discuss in executive session and that is likely one of them."

On Mrs. Mercer's decision, the chairman added, "We will miss Superintendent Mercer greatly and thank her everything she has done for the school department and the city after some very turbulent times. She's not leaving us in a lurch. She's going to stay on as long as we need her."

At-Large Committee member Joel Monteiro, who has at times clashed with the superintendent on issues, was very complementary of Mrs. Mercer Tuesday saying, "I want to publicly thank you for your efforts through the battles and triumphs. We appreciate all the work you've put in."