Superintendent of Sault Schools to retire later this year

SAULT STE. MARIE — After almost 10 years, superintendent of Sault Schools Dr. Tim Hall has announced his retirement from the school district as of June 30 of this year.

This announcement was made by Hall during Monday night’s Board of Education meeting. Hall was selected by the Sault Area Schools Board of Education as the district’s next superintendent after a vote in 2011.

“I can’t put into words without getting too emotional about the honor it’s been to serve as the superintendent,” Hall said. “The joy I’ve received from working with the students over the years … Being in the building everyday, developing those relationships, watching (the students) grow, seeing their energy ... those memories will probably be the ones that last the longest.”

Hall said that he was privileged to work with outstanding educators in the district, which stands out from other districts due to the people who work in it that go “above and beyond” for its students. Hall thanked the board members in the interim for bringing their energy and strengths to the board

Hall said that he did not make this decision lightly.

“It’s been discussed for a couple of years at the house,” Hall said. “We have a lot of work to do, we’ve got physical construction projects we have to get done, we have to migrate to a new student information system, we’ll have negotiations, we’ll have staffing, we’ll have all the end of the year activities and hopefully we’ll all be back to face-to-face.”

Hall looks forward to working with the board to help with a smooth, timely transition for hiring a new superintendent, which he said will be better for the district and, ultimately, for its students. Hall said what is best for the students is what matters at the end of the day.

Various board members congratulated Hall on his retirement during the meeting. Dan Smith, board president, is the last member of the board who is still present since Hall’s hiring as superintendent. Smith said that it has been a good 10 years working with Hall on the Board of Education.

A few members of the public also congratulated Hall, including his son, Tim Hall.

“Dad, I just wanted to say thank you for making me take my education as a younger person so seriously, but also encouraging me to go into it as an adult,” Hall said. “I appreciate it and congratulations.”