Academy District 20’s superintendent retiring
Academy District 20’s superintendent says he’s retiring at the end of the school year.
In a letter announcing his retirement, Mark Hatchell says: “The decision to retire was one of the toughest I have ever made. I have a genuine love and respect for Academy District 20 and will miss it very much. But with most of our building programs ending next summer, our outstanding student assessment scores, strong survey results and the strength of our finances, next June is the right time for me to pass the baton.”
District 20’s Board of Education adds that Hatchell’s 12 years leading the school has been marked by “unparalleled growth.”
Hatchell will step down on June 30, 2019. He is one of the longest-serving superintendents in the state.
The Board of Education says it will soon start the process to find his replacement.
Mark Hatchell’s full retirement letter:
I am honored and humbled to have served as your superintendent for the past 12 years. It is not an exaggeration to say I loved every minute and could easily stay for another dozen years. But after 37 years in education, 18 years as a superintendent, this past summer I decided to retire effective June 30, 2019.
The last two years have been the most enjoyable and rewarding of my career. We have embarked on adding a number of new programs across the district plus a major building program constructing new schools, renovating many others and adding additions. Again, thank you for your trust, your partnership and for supporting the 2016 bond. Because of your overwhelming support, every school has benefited.
The decision to retire was one of the toughest I have ever made. I have a genuine love and respect for Academy District 20 and will miss it very much. But with most of our building programs ending next summer, our outstanding student assessment scores, strong survey results and the strength of our finances, next June is the right time for me to pass the baton.
Just as nothing can prepare you for the unique responsibilities that come with this position, it was equally difficult to anticipate the joys I experienced working with great boards of education, outstanding staff members, supportive parents and the best students in the state.
Academy District 20 was an outstanding school district long before I arrived, and my hope is I helped make it a little better. I am proud to be one of the longest-serving superintendents in the state, but this honor is too great for one person to claim as their own for too long.
Thank you for the opportunity to lead this great district and thank you for teaching me the true meaning of the Peak of Excellence.
Sincerely,
Mark Hatchell
