Dr. James Payne announced he will be resigning as Ironton City Schools superintendent later this year.

Payne made the announcement at Monday’s school board meeting.

He will remain in the position until August.

The school district will begin a search for his replacement in the meantime.

This was Payne’s second stint as superintendent, beginning in 2024. He was previously superintendent from 1993-1999.

In his 30-year career, Payne has been the superintendent at Symmes Valley, Ironton, Dawson-Bryant and then retired as the county superintendent for the Lawrence County Educational Services Center.