South Callaway Superintendent Kevin Hillman will retire at the end of this school year.
"My father told me a long time ago, that you would always just know when it's time, and it's just time," Hillman said. The South Callaway family has been extremely good to me. It was a really good decision for me to come here. I hold the community, the school, the staff and the kids to a very high regard. They've been good to me. It's a difficult, difficult job, but they've all been good to me."
This is Hillman's ninth year as superintendent making it the second longest run in the position. The longest is a superintendent from the 70s and early 80s, who was there for 11 years.
"It's bitter sweet for me because I really do appreciate our school, what we got going and everything but its just time for the next person," said Hillman.
He will finish out the current school year and then go into his retirement, but the search for his replacement has already started in order to fine the perfect fit for the district. During his retirement, he is looking forward to spending more time with his family and friends. As of right now, he doesn't have any set plans, but he is looking forward to seeing what else is out there for him.
Throughout his years as superintendent, Hillman is proud of several different things he and the rest of the district was able to accomplish during his time there. The district's average test scores have gone up dramatically, they're been able to have a good budget plan despite two record drops in their assessment, they've been creating a more transparent and open way to do businesses with their school board members, community and staff, and been able to implement new ways to communicate with the community and school by using different social media platforms.
"We didn't have Facebook or Twitter or any of those type of things when I came in," said Hillman. "So we've been able to start some of those communication pieces and everything, and just trying to get more information out about our school, our kids and what they're doing and just trying to tell that story."
When it came to the COVID-19 pandemic, Hillman, like everyone else, wasn't expecting it and the way it changed not only the way the schools functioned but the community as well. Since it all started in March of 2020, him along with the district chose to up what happened behind the scenes at the schools and board meetings and did what they thought was best for the staff, students and community to ensure everyone's safety while being mindful of different opinions.
"Things are better this year," said Hillman. "But it's still kind of tough. I'm proud of how the school has handled things. But I will look forward to not having to deal with all that on the front lines in my retirement."
Though he's enjoyed his time with the South Callaway family, and made it through a pandemic with them; he hopes the next person can hopefully get away from the pandemic a little bit and focus on continuing to make the school better.