Anoka-Hennepin schools superintendent Roger Giroux will retire at the end of the year, he announced at the regular Monday school board meeting.
Giroux, 62, has been superintendent for 13 years; he's worked in the district's administration for a total of 32 years.
As the district makes plans to meet the needs of a changing student body, it seemed like a good moment to go, Giroux said Tuesday.
"I started the superintendent job at age 49, and now I'm approaching 63," he said, laughing. "There's a difference. I have to take into consideration those kinds of issues. I also think that we've served a good time here. We've had a lot of opportunities, and really enjoyed it, but change is good as well."
And though the job of superintendent has always been challenging, the issues of perennially tight budgets and constantly shifting state and federal educational standards weren't enough to drive him away.
"The superintendent's job is always challenging; it's always complex, and always has some issues," he said. "I've thoroughly enjoyed those challenges. You cannot do this job if you do not enjoy the challenges, and I've enjoyed all kinds of people."
School Board Chairman Mike Sullivan was a member of the board when Giroux was offered the superintendent position in 1995. Giroux was able to make a very large district seem smaller with his sense of humor and down-home management style, Sullivan said.
"The thing about Roger is that he's been here so long," Sullivan said. "His children were part of the community; he was a member of the community, and he brought that perspective to the job. ...
"The community sensed he was one of them. He cared about the things they cared about, and his family experienced the same things they experienced. I think that meant a lot."
Maria Elena Baca • 612-673-4409
