At the regularly scheduled St. Clair County BOE meeting Superintendent Mike Howard announced during the superintendent’s report that he will not be running for reelection in November.

“I know that will come as a shock to some and praise to others. I got in education to help kids, I didn’t get into education to become a politician,” said Howard.

Howard said being a superintendent is a hard job, but under covid, it made it almost impossible. He described being an elected superintendent during covid as a “nightmare.”

“I want to make it abundantly clear; I am not retiring. This is not a retirement. I’m just not going to be an elected official any longer.

He said he appreciates the voters who help put him into the position. 

“What we have accomplished in three years has been extraordinary, and I know I’m very aggressive, straight forward and hit the ground running because I want to get things done yesterday. I feel it’s moved our county forward in monumental ways,” said Howard.

He told the board members around him that he could not have done any of it without them and thanked them for their service. 

“Unfortunately, I can’t be superintendent here without being an elected official, and if I could, I wouldn’t be talking right now,” said Howard.

“I hope that people remember what we’ve able to accomplish over these last few years. So, thank you and I love you, I really do. My kids are here and will graduate here and my heart burns deeply for this county,” said Howard.

Because of covid, he said he has no idea what it would be like to be a “normal” superintendent. Howard began in mid-year before the 2019-20 school year, which meant he had about five months of “normalcy” before the pandemic began. 

“Everything else has been leading during the worst times in education history,” said Howard.