Fayette County school superintendent announces retirement

Fayette County Public Schools Superintendent Joseph C. Barrow Jr. announced Monday that he’s giving himself a final hall pass by retiring in June.

Barrow read a sometimes emotional statement at the end of the Board of Education’s regular meeting in which he noted that the end of this school year marks his 40th year in education. Barrow has served as a teacher, coach, assistant principal, principal and superintendent, having been hired for his current Fayette post in 2013 as the county was struggling with post-recession budget issues. Citing the “tremendous progress” the district has achieved since then, including balanced budgets for the past seven years, Barrow said he was ready to shift his focus and retire when the current school year ends on June 30.

Board Chair Scott Hollowell said a search for a new superintendent “with a proven track record as an innovative leader” will begin immediately.