Message from the Board of Education

Sept. 14, 2026

Dear Clayton Community,

Today, Dr. Nisha Patel announced her decision to retire at the end of this school year. Her final day with the School District of Clayton will be June 30, 2027.

As your Board of Education, we wanted to express our appreciation for Dr. Patel’s impact on our school community and share information about the search for her successor.

Dr. Patel joined Clayton in July 2021 and has been a tremendous leader and steward of our District during her tenure. She has honored Clayton’s legacy of excellence while helping chart a new vision for our schools, including a continued focus on academic achievement, social and emotional wellness, and our commitment to making Clayton a place for everyone. Her leadership in developing the District’s Long-Range Facilities Master Plan has also set in motion major improvements that will help shape Clayton’s future for decades to come.

We are grateful for Dr. Patel’s leadership and the many contributions she has made to our students, staff, families, and community. We have complete confidence that she will remain fully focused on ensuring a successful 2026–27 school year and continuing the important work underway across the District.

In a personal letter, Dr. Patel reflects on her decision to retire, what her time in Clayton has meant to her, and her confidence in the District’s future. We invite you to read her message and learn more about her decision.

While we are grateful for her leadership, we are also focused on selecting her successor. Choosing a superintendent is one of the most important decisions a Board of Education makes, and it is not one we take lightly. We have already begun that process and are committed to a high-quality, national search with high expectations for the experience, leadership, and vision Clayton’s next superintendent will bring to the role.

We plan to partner with an executive search firm to help guide the process. Our goal is to name the District’s next leader this winter so there will be several months for the incoming superintendent to work alongside Dr. Patel and support a smooth transition.

Your voice will be an important part of this process. We will provide opportunities for students, staff, families, and community members to share their perspectives on the qualities they believe are most important in Clayton’s next superintendent. Additional information will be shared on the District website as the process moves forward.

We look forward to keeping you informed throughout the search and to celebrating Dr. Patel’s service to Clayton during the remainder of the school year.

On behalf of the Clayton Board of Education, thank you, Dr. Patel, for your dedicated service to our District and community.

Sincerely,

Jason Growe, President

Chris Win, Vice President

D. Leo Human, Treasurer

Pamela Lyss-Lerman, Secretary

Ben Beinfeld, Director

Meade Greenberg, Director

Erin Linnenbringer, Director