Bill Husfelt announces early retirement as Bay District Schools superintendent
PANAMA CITY − Bill Husfelt will step down as superintendent of Bay District Schools about one year earlier than he originally planned.
In a Tuesday press release, the district announced Husfelt plans to retire from the position at the end of July. He is about three years into his fourth four-year term as superintendent. The release notes his decision "was completely personal."
"I have learned over the years that there are seasons for everything in life, and that seasons change as we adjust and grow older," Husfelt said in the release. "When I ran for my fourth term as superintendent three years ago, I intended for my final season as superintendent to conclude in the fall of 2024. "However, it's probably no secret by now that I have tendered notice to Gov. (Ron) DeSantis that I intend to retire effective July 31, 2023.
"That's a year or so sooner than I previously anticipated, but it's time for me to retire. I know the district will be in great hands with whomever the governor appoints to serve out the rest of my term."
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Husfelt also said in the release he did not plan to run for superintendent again three years ago, but that changed when Category 5 Hurricane Michael hit the area in October 2018.
"I had a vision and a mission to fix everything that the hurricane destroyed to hand off the district to my successor as a complete and fixed package," he said in the release. "We've made incredible strides since the storm, and I am so very proud of all of our employees who have literally 'eaten the elephant one bit at a time' to get our district rebuilt.
"Unfortunately, the FEMA process is beyond my control, and our recovery has not been as speedy as I would have liked. I understand now that I can't dot all the i's and cross all of the t's before finishing my season as superintendent, but that doesn't take away from the incredible progress our team has made."
Husfelt worked for Bay District Schools for more than four decades. He has experience as a substitute teacher, classroom teacher, coach, assistant principal and principal. He has been superintendent since 2008.
The district said in the release that Husfelt would not be available for media interviews Tuesday, but that he individually met with board members, executive staff and principals that morning.
"Rumors, over which we all have no control, may swirl about my early retirement, but let me assure you that this decision, one that I have prayed over and pondered for a very long time, is my own and is being made for no reason other than I've realized we can't take life for granted.
"There's so much left I want to accomplish while I still can, and I can't focus on family while serving as superintendent. I have no regrets about any aspect of my career in education, and I am grateful for all of the relationships and partnerships I have fostered during those four decades."
This article originally appeared on The News Herald: Bay District Schools Superintendent Bill Husfelt to retire in July
