School District 43 superintendent Tom Grant is calling it quits after seven years, saying it's time to spend more time with grandchildren and perhaps take a winter holiday.
After 38 years as an educator, Grant said he will retire effective Dec. 31, giving the board enough time to find a replacement.
"I'm well beyond my due date," said Grant, 63, who said the idea of retiring has been percolating for some months and the district's current situation - with rotating teachers' strikes, a lockout and difficult budget cuts - didn't factor into his decision.
He said job satisfaction kept him in the post past the time most educators retire given his length of service and it's time for a new leader.
"It was just such a wonderful place to be and a wonderful job at the time, I just kept going," Grant told The Tri-City News. "It's time to get back into shape and look at all those personal opportunities out there."
Board chair Melissa Hyndes said it won't be that easy to replace Grant, who helped the district through some difficult times while also being a champion for education, getting new schools built or into construction, starting new programs and encouraging teachers' professional development through learning teams.
"He's an extremely passionate educator and we're going to miss him greatly," Hyndes said.
A search for Grant's replacement will begin shortly, she said, noting the timing coincides with board elections this fall, which means SD43 could soon have new elected and appointed leaders.
Grant said he plans to spend more time with his his three grandchildren, all under 10 years of age, and while the education outlook is uncertain here, Grant said SD43, with its high graduation rates, will continue to excel.
"I think our system is a terrific system and we've got wonderful people in it," he said, "and at the end of it, were going to have to rely on relationships to go forward."
