Lehighton Area School District Assistant Superintendent Mary Figura officially announced her upcoming retirement Monday after nearly two-and-a-half years of service.

Figura, who was hired in August 2022, expressed gratitude to colleagues, the board and the broader school community for their support during her tenure, emphasizing the collaborative achievements made under her leadership.

“First and foremost, I’d like to thank the board, especially for the incredible opportunity to work in such a wonderful community,” Figura said during her remarks. “I also want to put a heartfelt thank you to the administrators for your leadership, your dedication, and our vision. You helped guide the district for so many positive changes in the short time that I’ve been here.”

Board President Joy Beers acknowledged Figura’s work, particularly her efforts to overhaul the curriculum and involve teachers more actively in the decision-making process.

“Thank you for fixing our curriculum and making the teachers feel like a big part of that,” Beers said. “In the past, that wasn’t the case, and you made a special effort.”

Figura also expressed her admiration for the district’s faculty and staff, noting their commitment to fostering student success.

“To the faculty and staff, your dedication to fostering an environment of growth, learning and care is truly inspiring,” she said. “I am deeply grateful for all the collaboration and teamwork shared in making our district a place where students thrive.”

During her tenure, Figura played a pivotal role in updating the district’s curriculum and facilitating professional development opportunities for teachers. Several board members and administrators highlighted those accomplishments, noting her focus on data-driven decision-making and her ability to unify staff toward common goals.

“Thank you for just providing as much support and institutional knowledge as you have,” Superintendent Jason Moser said. “We’ve had great conversations about the recent past and the future of the district.”

Figura gave special recognition to Gretchen Laviolette, the district’s head of instructional technology and curriculum, and Sandra Michalik, special services director, commending their collaboration and hard work.

“Your willingness to listen and consistently do the hard work that makes a difference is appreciated,” she said.

On a personal note, Figura thanked her assistant, Amanda Citro, for her exceptional support.

“She’s truly one of the best secretaries I’ve ever had the privilege of working with,” Figura said.

The board expressed their gratitude for Figura’s decision to extend her service beyond her initial retirement plans.

“Thank you for rescinding two previous retirements,” Beers said. “The claiming of those retirements would have been extremely inconvenient for most, especially for the other administrators.”

Figura’s retirement will be effective March 5.