The Franklin County Board of Education accepted the retirement of assistant superintendent Donald Borden at a short meeting Tuesday evening.
Borden's retirement will take effect December 31, 2017.
An assistant superintendent the last eight years for Franklin County Schools, Borden has more than 38 years in education and 27 years of experience in Franklin County's school system. He ran for the office of superintendent in 2016 as the Democratic nominee for the position, an election won by current superintendent Greg Hamilton.
Borden said the decision to retire wasn't easy, and he knows he'll miss the relationships he's built with his co-workers through the years.
I will miss everybody in this system. They're like family to me, especially the people in the central office and the bus shop. I'll miss all of you but it's just time for me to take the next step, Borden said.
At what may be his final board meeting, Borden saw the board approve the purchase of 44 new propane school buses for Franklin County Schools. The board followed his recommendation of purchasing International buses due to their reliability in the past.
I appreciate each of you working with us on this bus issue. This is a good thing for Franklin County Schools, Borden told board members.
Along with each board member in attendance at Tuesday's meeting, Hamilton expressed his appreciation to Borden for the work he's done to make Franklin County Schools the best it can be for its students.
I appreciate your years of service to the Franklin County school system. And on a personal note, I appreciate what you've done for me the last year in the transition in my new position, Hamilton said.
Hamilton said there would be no immediate action to appoint a successor as assistant superintendent and that decision would be made at a later time.
I've known you most of my life and I know you love this system and the kids and I appreciate all you've done for us, board member Terry Welborn told Borden.
Borden is a 1974 Phil Campbell High School graduate who began his teaching career in Dekalb County at Ider High School in 1978. He's also worked for Winston County Schools and Haleyville City Schools. Borden served as assistant principal at Phil Campbell and Haleyville High School, principal at Tharptown Junior High, Phil Campbell and Haleyville and he has eight years of central office experience.
Borden serves as supervisor of Franklin County Schools' Maintenance and Facilities Department. His other responsibilities include transportation supervisor and textbook coordinator.
Borden and his wife Jean have three children and six grandchildren. They live in the Spruce Pine community.
As with all Franklin County Schools administrators, Borden has been forced to deal with proration and the ensuing tight budgets in recent years.
It's been a financial struggle at times but we made it through. You just always try to do the best you can with what you've got, Borden said.
