Supt. Jim Shank to leave District 91 at school year's end

Shank sent a letter announcing his decision to faculty and staff Wednesday.

“My professional career as an educator began in 1991,” Shank said in the letter. “The majority of those years have been spent in the Idaho Falls School District serving as an assistant principal, principal, director and currently as superintendent of schools.

“I would like to believe that those years of service have had a positive influence on students and teachers, opened doors of opportunity, eliminated barriers to learning, and encouraged success.”

Shank’s resume includes superintendent positions in Washington and Utah as well as a principal position in District 91 and experience as a special education teacher.

He shared in the letter that “after careful consideration and a good amount of personal reflection,” he decided to resign.

Shank succeeded longtime Superintendent George Boland, who retired at the end of the 2020-2021 school year. Boland spent 15 years as superintendent for District 91.

Shank was not the district’s first choice as superintendent. A divided board of trustees voted 3-2 on March 30, 2021, to offer the job to Eric Pingrey. But three days later, Pingrey withdrew his acceptance of the job to take the open superintendent job in McCall-Donnelly School District. The district offered the post to Shank, who had been the runner-up, after an emergency board of trustees meeting six days after Pingrey’s withdrawal.

Shank didn’t give a reason for his departure, but it comes after a failed $250 million bond measure in November and a perceived lack of community support for the district.

At the close of his letter, Shank wishes the district the best and thanks them for the opportunity he has been given to serve.

Following pending contract negotiations and a background check, Shank is expected to begin his new post at the North Beach School District on July 1, before the 2023-34 school year, according to a Facebook post by the North Beach School District.

Shank was paid $165,850 per year in District 91.

The Idaho Falls board of trustees thanked Shank for his service and encouraged district parents to watch for more information as they discuss the next steps at the regularly scheduled business meeting on March 16.

“We appreciate Dr. Shank’s service to the district, especially his focus on implementing High-Reliability Schools and expanding Career Technical Education opportunities for our students,” said District 91 Board Chairwoman Hillary Radcliffe in a news release.