Susan Groesbeck, who served as interim director of the Laboratory Schools since September, will no longer continue at Lab, effective immediately. Ethan Bueno de Mesquita, dean of the Harris School of Public Policy and a U-High parent, will step in as interim leader for the remainder of the year.
A Nov. 7 email from University of Chicago President Paul Alivisatos to parents and employees shared the news. It emphasized Dr. Groesbeck’s commitment to Lab and wished her well.
“Sue has had a long, distinguished career in PreK-12 education, and, in her brief time at Lab, demonstrated a commitment to engaging a broad range of the constituencies that make up our community,” Dr. Alivasatos wrote. “While we lose the prospect of benefiting from her depth of experience, we wish her well in the future.”
Dr. Bueno de Mesquita is also the chair of a committee established last spring to review Lab’s programs, operations and policies. The review committee’s report is expected to be shared with the community soon.
The email from Dr. Alivisatos said the search for a permanent director was already underway “with a goal of having a long-term, permanent leader in place for next academic year.”
The full text from President Alivisatos’ email to the community is included below.
Dr. Groesbeck’s departure comes at a turbulent time at Lab. In the past month, dozens of faculty and parents have demanded more transparency from the administration about policies and communication.
She joined Lab when the administration has faced longevity issues. Dr. Groesbeck is the third director in the past five years and started 10 weeks ago. U-High principal Martin Woods emphasized that the quick turnover of administrators has likely not inspired confidence in the institution’s stability.
“It is not lost on me that Lab has been a revolving door over the years for the administration, so I am not totally shocked,” Mr. Woods said in an interview with the Midway on Friday, an hour after the email was sent. “This is certainly not putting us on the right track to stability — the constant change.”
Mr. Woods acknowledged that moments like these make Lab feel like an unsteady place and emphasized his commitment to providing students with a consistent experience.
“I want students to view this as steady,” he said. “I want them to view this as a safe place and as a place that they come to experience stability and belonging.”
He also stressed his sympathy for the university’s leadership in having to make these difficult choices.
“I’m rooting for the next director,” Mr. Woods said. “I truly am rooting for university leadership as they have to make these decisions. It is a tough place to be. It is a tough job.”
Middle school home economics teacher Ruthie Williams, a Lab parent, feels that resources are being wasted on administrative issues when they should be going to student-related needs.
“I’m sad that we’re wasting time, money and energy on leadership churn, when we should be focused on pursuing our school’s strategic priorities, especially the things that directly benefit students,” Ms. Williams said.
As a new director arrives at Lab, Mr. Woods hopes Dr. Bueno de Mesquita prioritizes student and faculty welfare as he steps into his new role.
“I remain committed to the idea that we have to center our students,” Mr. Woods said. “And so I expect nothing less than that commitment from him.”
Email from University of Chicago President Paul Alivisatos
Dear Members of the University of Chicago Laboratory Schools Community,
I write to share that Dr. Susan (Sue) R. Groesbeck, interim director of the Laboratory Schools, is leaving her role effective today. Sue has had a long, distinguished career in PreK-12 education, and, in her brief time at Lab, demonstrated a commitment to engaging a broad range of the constituencies that make up our community. While we lose the prospect of benefiting from her depth of experience, we wish her well in the future.
Ethan Bueno de Mesquita, dean of the Harris School of Public Policy, will step in and serve out the remainder of this academic year as interim director of the Laboratory Schools. As you know, Ethan chaired the committee that I charged to review Lab last year. In that role, he met with a wide array of faculty, parents, and administrators across the Schools, and, with a view towards the future, developed a deep understanding of the unique community that makes Lab so special. The report they produced will soon be shared. Ethan is not an expert in pre-K-12 education and will rely on the educational expertise at the Lab Schools—of which there is a great deal—to manage the day-to-day aspects required to sustain ongoing, successful operations.
I strongly believe that there will be significant benefits to having an interim leader of the Schools who is deeply embedded in the life, culture, and values of the University. Ethan is a leader whose approach and commitment to the University’s values and mission is unequivocal. There will be significant effort this year to advance this connectivity and to bring more positive opportunity to the Lab School through the University. Ethan will hit the ground running and will work together with all of you as we continue what is already another successful year for our students. You should expect to hear from him next week.
Sudden changes can be unsettling and families, faculty, and staff who have been part of the Schools have experienced many changes. One of my team’s key goals will be to help create the foundations of mutual understanding and alignment that will allow us to attract an extraordinary director for the long-run. We have already launched the search for a permanent director and will accelerate that search starting this week—with a goal of having a long-term, permanent leader in place for next academic year.
Finally, I will join a conversation with the Lab community this month on important topics including our shared values. There is much work to be done to ensure that Lab emerges through this transition ready to serve its vibrant, curious, diverse, and generous community. Working together, we can strengthen what are excellent schools for current students and for the generations of students who will follow them.
