Dr. Z Announces Resignation at the end of the 2024-25 School Year

South Hardin Tigers Family:

I am writing to inform you of my resignation as your Superintendent of Schools on June 30, 2025, at the end of the 2024-25 School Year.  For the past seven years, I have put all of my heart, mind, and energy into being the best Superintendent I can be for South Hardin Schools.  We have achieved many successes and improved together as two school districts proudly serving our kids as One.  I always have been and always will be proud to call myself a South Hardin Tiger!  We have also dealt with many challenges these past seven years. I am proud of how we have taken each of those challenges head-on and truly lived our mission of “Embracing Today’s Challenges and Preparing for Tomorrow’s World.”

This year marks year #19 in public education, and year #13 as a school building or district-level administrator.  My current role in public education as superintendent has evolved and changed drastically over the past ten years since receiving my doctorate and aspiring to be a school district superintendent.  Prayer and following my Lord & Savior Jesus Christ’s path for my life led me to be your superintendent in 2018, and today lead my family and I to new opportunities, missions, and commissions in the years to come.

In the fall of 2002, as a senior in high school, I decided to dedicate my life’s work to impacting the lives of future generations of kids through educational and extracurricular opportunities by becoming a teacher and coach. Working with kids and positively impacting their lives has always been my passion and purpose.  Unfortunately, the evolving and varying demands of my current role as a shared superintendent have greatly limited the amount of direct interaction with kids.  I am excited to see how God will use the talents, skills, and passions He has blessed me with during the next phase of my career.

Many are probably wondering why now, and why so early in the school year.  I want South Hardin Schools to have the opportunity to hire the best superintendent possible to lead our districts in the years ahead.  Currently, 9 other districts across the state already know they need to find a new superintendent for the 2025-26 School Year.  Those jobs will begin to be advertised in the next month, and I want to ensure that all current and aspiring superintendents know that South Hardin Schools is looking for their next leader.  

Sara, Zeke, and I look forward to continuing to dedicate our lives for the next 9 months to serving South Hardin Schools and our communities through the various work and volunteer positions we have been honored and blessed to serve in.  You took a chance on a 33-year-old single first-year superintendent seven years ago, and have embraced my major personal life changes of becoming a husband to Sara and a father to Zeke during our time together.  We will forever be grateful for the support, compassion, and love that you have shown us during our time here.  South Hardin Schools and the communities we serve will always hold a special place in our hearts.  We have made memories that will never be forgotten and fondly remembered.  You will always be in our thoughts and prayers, and we will always be cheering for the Tigers wherever the Lord may lead us in the future.

For now, let’s make the 2024-25 School Year the Best It Can Be for #OurKids, #OurStaff, #OurSchools, & #OurCommunities,

Dr. Z