I knew in 2010 that I wanted to be the Superintendent of Columbus Public Schools. Just as I knew what I needed to do then, I now know it is time for me to relinquish this position of responsibility.
On Monday, December 18th, I will ask the CPS Board of Education to accept my "Notice of Intent to Return and Extend" letter that is called for by my employment contract. With this notice, I am indicating to the Board that I wish to retire from the District as Superintendent effective June 30, 2024.
I hope I am leaving Columbus Public Schools better than I found it. I owe this District a tremendous amount of gratitude for the 14 years of professional opportunities it has provided me. I did not know I would be given the opportunity to work for this District as long as I have and we now consider Columbus our home. CPS has allowed Kim and I to live and raise our children in a great community where everyone has helped us prepare our children for their future. I am proud to have all five of my children be graduates of CHS. The district has allowed me to be a part of many service efforts and boards within our community and throughout the state to hopefully make things better for all students and staff.
Most importantly, CPS gave me the opportunity to work for the best public school district in Nebraska. I am very proud to have had the opportunity to be placed into leadership of this school district. I believe each and everyone here are all in when it comes to students. I have been blessed with thirteen fantastic Board Members in 14 years who consistently put the needs of students as their number one priority. I am very proud of all the staff both certificated and classified. Together, all groups have worked hard to engage all learners to achieve success.
I am proud to say that I have not missed a board meeting in 22 years. Some of the data to share includes 36 board meetings as a building principal, 60 board meetings and 60 board committee meetings as a Director in Hastings, 56 committee as a whole meetings, 18 negotiations meetings, 36 special meetings, 164 board committee meetings, 14 board retreats, and 168 regular board meetings for a total of 438 board meetings as Superintendent and a grand total of 594 meetings with the boards of education in Hastings and Columbus. This does not include the number of state, local, and professional development opportunities I have been blessed with.
I thank the community for their stewardship of our schools and their sacrifice for students to provide the best possible facilities. This will remain an inspiration to me. I predict that when it is time to address the future needs of our students and our growing enrollment, our community will rise to that challenge again. Each contact I have made in the last 14 years working for Columbus Public Schools has made me a better husband, father, and administrator, so I say thank you.
Following the board of education meeting on Monday, the board members will decide the next steps to determine who the next Superintendent of Columbus Public Schools will be.
Sincerely,
Dr. Troy Loeffelholz