Starkville-Oktibbeha Consolidated School District Superintendent Lewis Holloway intends to retire at the conclusion of the 2016-17 academic year.
The SOCSD Board of Trustees announced Holloway submitted a letter of intent Tuesday that asks trustees to release him from his contract two years early, which will allow him to retire in June.
SOCSD Board President Jenny Turner said in a statement the school board will formally act on Holloway’s request and discuss the first steps in a search process during Tuesday’s regularly scheduled meeting.
“His decision to inform the board of his plans now will allow us ample time to conduct a thorough search for a new superintendent prior to the start of the 2017-2018 school year,” she said in the release.
Holloway joined Starkville School District in 2012 before the Legislature mandated it merge with Oktibbeha County School District in 2015. This year marks his 42nd year working in education.
In his letter to the school board, Holloway said he would assist during the upcoming transition.
“We’ve worked together to develop a successful plan for consolidation that is already considered a model for other school districts. We’ve also established a solid financial outlook that includes a health reserve fund for the district,” he said in his letter to board members. “Through it all, you have been most supportive of efforts to improve and advance educational opportunities for all students, and I am thankful for your leadership.”
Holloway’s departure comes as the school district positions itself to build a partnership school for all grades 6-7 students at Mississippi State University.
The board previously approved a $16 million-maximum bond package this year, of which $12.5 million is expected to fund the new campus.
Construction bids are expected to be approved in early 2017.
Holloway was convicted in Oktibbeha County Justice Court of two misdemeanor simple assault charges in August after he admitted to firing a handgun into the air during a 2015 confrontation with his neighbor, Roy Couvion, and his neighbor’s step-daughter.
Holloway argued he fired his weapon because he was threatened at the time.
He was fined $500 for each misdemeanor conviction.
Holloway also filed a simple assault affidavit against Couvion last year, but that trial has not yet been scheduled.
Reporters Carl Smith and Joshua Starr contributed to this article.
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