Superintendent says retirement about timing

As we told you last night, New Hanover County Schools Superintendent Al Lerch is retiring at the end of the school year. Lerch has been an educator for more than 40 years. The last three years he has served as superintendent.

Lerch said today education is a career he recommends, but it’s time for him to step away.

“One day you wake up and a voice says, ‘It’s time to retire,'” Lerch said. “And I guess until you’re there you don’t really understand that.”

Lerch said the things he’ll miss most are the students and the camaraderie he felt with the other members of the school board.

No word yet on who will replace Lerch next year.