Uvalde school district superintendent announces retirement months after school shooting

The superintendent of Uvalde Consolidated Independent School District in Texas has announced he is retiring while the town of Uvalde, Texas, is still reeling from a school shooting in May.

Hal Harrell announced his retirement via a post on his wife’s Facebook page on Sunday, saying he is “truly grateful” for the support he has received.

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“I am truly grateful for your support and well wishes. My decision to retire has not been made lightly and was made after much prayer and discernment. My wife and I love you all and this community that we both grew up in, therefore this decision was a difficult one for us. I have been blessed to work among amazing educators and staff who believe in education for more than 30 years, which have all been in our beautiful community,” Harrell said.

Harrell said he will remain in his position “throughout the year until a new superintendent can be named” and that it was “an honor and privilege to serve you all.”

The announcement comes less than five months after a shooting at Robb Elementary School killed 21 people, including 19 students. In his retirement announcement, Harrell said his “heart was broken” that day and he “will always pray for each precious life that was tragically taken as well as their families.”

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The district announced Friday it had suspended the entire school district’s police department as an investigation into the law enforcement response to the shooting continues.