Home
A Message to the Lexington Community from CEO/Superintendent Russell O. West
January 26, 2024
Dear Lexington Faculty and Staff:
Dear Lexington Faculty and Staff:
This is a hard letter for me to write. Today, I notified the Board of Trustees that I will be resigning from my position as CEO/Superintendent of Lexington at the end of my current contract year, June 30, 2024. This is not a decision I arrived at quickly or easily. I have, however, decided that it is time for me to move on and explore my next professional journey. The opportunity to lead this tremendous school, organization and community for the last four and a half years has been the honor and privilege of my career.
Together, we navigated challenges, not the least of which was the COVID pandemic. We identified ways to protect and keep the entire Lexington Organization afloat and moving forward during a difficult and uncharted time. We had hard conversations about social justice and environmental inequalities and inequities; we listened to one another. We made difficult financial and organizational decisions and changes within the Agencies in order to remain viable and healthy in the years to come. We grew with the completion of an arduous self-study process, updated Lexington’s Purpose and Vision statements, and developed a Five-Year Strategic Plan for 2023-2028. Lastly, and certainly a moment that will stand out as a true community effort, we celebrated the 159 year historic achievement of full accreditation status by CEASD and NYSAIS. We did all of this and more, together.
I am filled with gratitude that you have allowed me to listen, learn, and lead. I also want to thank each of you for your unique contributions to Lexington. Your steadfast commitment, talent, skill and passion are the backbone of this organization, and I am indebted to every one of you for the incredible years we shared together. My heart will always be with the Bluejay students, families, staff, patients, clients, and community. Because your continued success and care of the students, clients and patients are of utmost importance to me, I am dedicated to supporting this transition of responsibilities and will be in communication with the Board and each of you as we move through the next few months.
For now, I am still here. My door will continue to be open and I will do my best to provide the support necessary to ensure a smooth transition. Be assured, we will do what we've always done: listen, change and grow. I wish you all the best as you continue to move Lexington forward. It is because of the work we have done, together, that Lexington stands ready for a new, exciting, and promising chapter.
With gratitude,
Russell O. West, M. Ed.
CEO/Superintendent
© 2019 Lexington School for the Deaf. All Rights Reserved