Superintendent will retire at contract's end

By Cate Lecuyer
staff writer

June 18, 2009 05:00 am

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BEVERLY — Superintendent James Hayes announced he'll retire next June, at the end of his contract.

"Working as Beverly's superintendent has been the most satisfying period in what will be a 39-year career," he said at last night's School Committee meeting.

When he leaves on June 30, 2010, it will mark six years leading the Beverly Public School District.

The decision was difficult, he said, but something that makes financial sense for him and his family.

Hayes, 61, makes $154,000 a year. He said he plans to stay at his home in Hampstead, N.H., and isn't sure what he'll do next.

"I expect to continue working in some capacity," he said. "I've got a whole year to figure all that out."

Last year, Hayes steered the community through a plan to close McKeown Elementary School and turn it into an alternative secondary school to help bridge a gap in the budget, and spearheaded a citywide redistricting of elementary school students.

The School Committee gave Hayes high marks in his annual evaluation yesterday, but said little at the meeting about his decision to retire next year.

"The one-year notice is being given so that you have ample time to identify a successor and to provide for a smooth transition," he read from a letter during the meeting.

"I wanted to give them every opportunity to find someone," he said afterward.

Hayes said he's satisfied he'll stay long enough to see the near completion of the new high school, which is scheduled to be finished by next September.

"The high school construction project has been a labor of love, and I look forward to bringing it ever close to completion," he said.

He's also anticipating the next year.

"Please know that my work ethic has always been about doing whatever it takes to get the work done well, and that work ethic will continue until my last day," Hayes said.

"I'm upbeat and enthusiastic about the year ahead and look forward to leading this school system to sustain and improve upon the high-quality education that we provide."

Staff writer Cate Lecuyer can be reached at clecuyer@salem news.com.