Doris Hope-Jackson's tenure at Willow Run appears to be nearing an end

Doris Hope-Jackson

District officials - including board president Sheri Washington and acting Superintendent Laura Lisiscki - declined to answer questions about Hope-Jackson’s status with the district Thursday, citing personnel matters. Other board members and administrators referred questions to Lisiscki and Washington.

The buzz among parents, teachers and community members is that Hope-Jackson, who currently is the director of information and assessment for the district, is on her way out. Hope-Jackson was the superintendent for three years before being moved into a newly created position in December.

Hope-Jackson could not be reached Thursday. An e-mail sent to her Willow Run e-mail address resulted in an automated response, noting she’d be out of the office from Jan. 29 to Feb. 5. A call to her Willow Run office was answered by a voicemail greeting saying she would be out of the office from Feb. 1 to Feb. 8.

Washington wouldn’t reveal whether Hope-Jackson has been suspended for any reason and won’t say whether the process to fire her is under way.

Also generating the same speculation is Laconda Hicks, the district’s director of student and teacher services. She also couldn’t be reached for comment.

Throughout her tenure at Willow Run, Hope-Jackson has been dogged by controversy. In July, a new school board with a majority of members aligned against Hope-Jackson took control of the district.

Hope-Jackson has two years left on her contract, which sets her pay at $122,400 a year. The contract calls for that amount to be paid if the board fires her without cause.

The Willow Run school board will next meet Feb. 18.

David Jesse covers K-12 education for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached at davidjesse@annarbor.com or at 734-623-2534.