COAL GROVE — Less than a year into his three-year contract Dawson-Bryant Superintendent George York announced his retirement.

York, 68, read a letter at the June 9 regular meeting of the Dawson-Bryant Board of Education citing several reasons for his decision.

“After considerable discussions between (my wife, Deborah) and I and the family, (we) have decided to retire,” he said. “We decided after looking at our work this year and where we are in our lives that after 47 years for me and 39 for (Deborah) that it is time.”

York said he remains mentally eager to perform the duties of superintendent, but the physical demands of the job have proven difficult.

“I came to the district with the plan to bring civility back to this position and the district and to focus on academics,” he said. “I feel I have had success in those areas.”

York also said the newly and soon-to-be implemented initiatives by the Ohio Department of Education were also factored into his decision.

“There is now a need for a superintendent at Dawson-Bryant to lead the district through all the new initiatives coming from the Ohio Department of Education next year and the years to come,” he said. “Including full implementation of Ohio’s new learning standards, the Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers (PARCC) exams, results-driven accountability for special education, further implementation of the third-grade guarantee, new kindergarten testing, revisions in Ohio Teacher Evaluation System (OTES), more accountability for the implementation of the Ohio Improvement Process (OIP) and additions to the district report card, to name a few.”

York began as superintendent July 1, 2103. Shortly after, he hired a new middle school principal and changed the daily format from a blocked schedule to an eight-period day. He said he planned to move the district toward being more curriculum oriented.

“Thank you for your support,” he said. “I hope I have helped make board meetings a little more enjoyable.”

York originally asked for his retirement take effect Aug. 1, but eventually changed the requested date to July 31, to allow ample time for the board to conduct a search for the next superintendent.

“I will do whatever is necessary to collaborate with the new superintendent in making the change as seamless as possible,” he said.

His resignation was approved at the June 9 board meeting with resolution 2014-119 and an amended resolution with the July 31 date was adopted on July 14.

“I am so proud to have been your superintendent,” he said. “I have enjoyed the association with the staff and this board.”

York was born in Ironton and grew up in South Point. He spent time as a seventh and eighth-grade teacher, middle and high school principal and superintendent of the South Point School District. When hired as Dawson-Bryant superintendent, York was working as an educational consultant for the Ross-Pike Educational Services District.

“I do know from being around superintendents it’s not an 8-4 job,” Brad Miller, Dawson-Bryant treasurer, said. “A lot of work goes into it and Mr. York goes 100 miles an hour. He can’t change how he’s wired.”

York has been married to Deborah, who recently worked for the state support team, for 33 years. They have four children and nine grandchildren.