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Clarinda School District Superintendent announces his retirement

News

February 9th, 2016 by Ric Hanson

The Superintendent of the Clarinda Community School District announced plans Monday evening to retire at the end of the school year. According to the Daily NonPareil, Paul Honnold, who will be turning 63, submitted his resignation to the Clarinda school board during a regularly scheduled meeting. His contract runs through June 30th.

His resignation came as somewhat of a surprise to the school board, who only knew from the prepared agenda they would be acting on approving a resignation or resignations. Honnold said it was important for him to resign early enough to give the district plenty of time to search for a new leader. At the end of the day, he said he’s getting tired and it’s time to move on to life’s next chapter.

Honnold is serving as his 41st year in education and will finish his 21st year as superintendent of the Clarinda Community School District. Once he’s retired, Honnold said he’s not sure how he’ll spend his time. He was first hired in Clarinda, his home for 35 years of his career, as a middle school physical education teacher and wrestling coach, and he left between 1986 and 1990 to serve as principal of Bedford High School. He returned as Clarinda Middle School’s principal for five years before earning the promotion to superintendent.

Honnold said he plans to stay in the community and will likely be seen in the schools as a family member instead of the district’s top official.