Interim Superintendent Mark Lumpkin confirmed two additional administrative resignations accepted on Tuesday from the Polk School District: a former superintendent who returned for a lower administrative role, and the head of the District’s Executive Director of Operations.

Laurie Atkins – who served as superintendent for several years prior to Dr. Katie Thomas – stepped down from her current role with the district after a long career on Tuesday. Atkins served as superintendent from 2017 until 2021.

She returned following her retirement, and had been serving as the Chief Officer for the Office of Professional Development and also oversaw Curriculum and Instruction as her time in the district administration came to a close on March 4.

Tillery, who also held a long career with the district, had been serving as the Executive Director of Operations, overseeing Maintenance, Buildings and Transportation departments for the district.

The two joined Dr. Thomas in resigning before the end of the school year on Tuesday.

Dr. Thomas, a veteran of two decades with the District, stepped down from her role as Superintendent ahead of her plans to undergo a hip replacement surgery. Though her resignation was immediate, she’ll be paid for her year of service through June 30 utilizing vacation and sick time to cover the balance of the time before the fiscal year closes this summer.