Fairbanks School District will need to find a new leader.
This morning, Superintendent Bob Humble announced he will step down at Fairbanks to take the same position in another district.
“It is with great sadness and excitement that I submit my resignation to become the new superintendent of Sidney City Schools effective July 31, 2018,” Humble wrote. “I have and will always be proud to be a Panther.”
During a special meeting Thursday evening, the Sydney Board of Education voted unanimously to hire Humble as new superintendent. Humble received a three-year contract. He will be paid $130,000 annually. In addition he will be paid for up to 10 days of employment from July 1 to July 31. In 2017, Humble earned $110,163 at Fairbanks.
Humble said he told board members of his resignation Thursday night after the vote in Sydney.
“In the last 10 years, Fairbanks Local Schools has seen tremendous success,” Humble wrote. “I have been very blessed to have led during that time and even more blessed to have been able to work with an outstanding staff and the best students I’ve ever been around. We have accomplished so many wonderful things.”
Humble cited many accomplishments in the district during his tenure at Fairbanks.
Humble called Fairbanks, “a wonderful, wonderful district.” He said the district has become a destination for staff, students and families.
“Every administrator, every superintendent, has that one place that has a special place in their heart,” Humble said. “For me, right now, Fairbanks has that special place in my heart.”
Even so, Humble said that for the last couple of years, he has felt like he needed a change.
“I felt like I had done all I could do and we have accomplished so much at Fairbanks,” Humble said. “I was ready for my next challenge.”
Humble said Sydney, while larger than Fairbanks, has many similarities. He said that like Fairbanks, Sydney has a great tradition and is a place he can know the students.
“I think Sydney is going to be a good spot for me,” Humble said. “I feel like I can use my past history of raising student achievement to help Sydney.”
He said Fairbanks was exactly what he needed when the district offered him his first superintendent’s job in June of 2008. He said his 10 years at Fairbanks is the longest he has ever held one job.
“That says a lot about the district and the community,” Humble said. “I never really wanted to leave but felt it was just time for a new challenge.”
In his resignation letter, Humble wrote that when he looks at how Fairbanks has changed during his time, “I am very proud of our district.”
“I have said, many times, that Fairbanks was a good district 10 years ago, but we are truly a ‘great’ district now,” Humble wrote.
The superintendent has also been active in the community.
“I have built some wonderful, relationships in the district and in the county,” Humble said.
Humble was set to serve as President of the Union County Rotary, beginning July 1. He also serves as the chairman of the Family Council of Union County and is on the Union County Drug Free Coalition Board of Trustees. He has served as past president of the Milford Center Lions Club.
Before moving to Fairbanks, Humble was with the Clearmont Northeastern Local Schools in Batavia, from 2002-08, as principal, director of personnel/curriculum and assistant superintendent. Prior to his time in Clearmont Northeastern, Humble served as a principal, music teacher and band director.
Humble has also worked in the private sector, holding a variety of jobs from sales to security.
Humble graduated from Miami University, earning a bachelor of music in music education. He received his master of education degree in education administration from the University of Cincinnati and additional training in education administration at Xavier University.
Humble said he plans to relocate to Sydney. He said he hopes Fairbanks continues to change also.
“Hopefully the district will move forward, building-wise,” Humble said. “The students at Fairbanks deserve to have the kind of education they need to succeed in today’s world.”
Representatives from Fairbanks were unavailable this morning to speak about the district’s plan to replace Humble.