Harrisonburg City Schools Superintendent Dr. Donald Ford has announced to his intention to retire at the conclusion of the 2009-2010 school year. The announcement comes after a meeting of the city school board Monday night.

Ford came to Harrisonburg 12 years ago to begin his tenure as superintendent of the city schools.

In his notification to the school board, Ford writes, “While I looked forward at that time to a long-term relationship with Harrisonburg City Schools, I could not have predicted that I would remain here for well over a decade. These 12 years have been challenging, but also both personally and professionally rewarding. I have worked in Harrisonburg with some of the finest teachers and administrators I have ever met, and I am gratified that so many of these individuals will continue to assist the next superintendent maintain the tradition of excellence we have in our schools.”

Ford’s career in education began in 1972 as a teacher and coach in Bedford County, Virginia. He has served as a teacher, coach, assistant principal, principal, assistant superintendent and superintendent during his 37 years of experience. In 2007, he was chosen as Virginia’s Superintendent of the Year. He also served as president of the Virginia Association of School Superintendents for 2007-2008.

Just over three and a half years ago, Ford asked the board to extend his contract until June 30, 2010, at which time he would be eligible for full retirement under the Virginia Retirement System. The board approved that request and recently extended an invitation to continue working beyond this school year. However, while expressing appreciation for the offer, Ford informed the board Monday night that he was respectfully declining.

“I am, therefore, submitting my notice of retirement to you now to provide the board with plenty of time to conduct a good search for my successor,” said Ford to the board. “I am proud of all that our dedicated school board members, school staff, parents, community and, most importantly, students have accomplished since 1997 and I will leave the school division next summer grateful to have been a part of one of the finest school divisions in the state.”

Members of the school board expressed their appreciation to Ford for his years of service in Harrisonburg and thanked him for providing more than seven months of advance notice to prepare for a leadership transition. The board will now begin developing a plan for conducting a search for the school division’s next superintendent.