Uvalde school superintendent Hal Harrell retiring months after shooting

Uvalde School Superintendent Hal Harrell is on his way out almost five months after the district endured one of the worst school shootings in US history.

The Uvalde school board approved the terms of Harrell’s retirement during a Wednesday meeting, but did not reveal any details of his departure, including when he would officially leave, according to a Texas Tribune report.

The school board also appointed an interim school chief but it was unclear when that person would take over, the news outlet reported.  

Harrell announced more than a week ago his intention to retire before the personnel moves made this week.

“My heart was broken on May 24th,” he said in a statement in reference to the deadly school shooting that took 19 young students and two teachers inside Robb Elementary School.

The district is expected to search for a permanent school chief in the coming months.

Harrell is among school officials, as well as law enforcement, that has faced criticism in light of the tragic mass shooting carried out by an 18-year-old gunman who was able to breach the school building last May.

Harrell’s resignation statement was posted on his wife’s Facebook page because he said he didn’t have a social media account.

“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,” he wrote.

“These next steps for our future are being taken after much reflection, and is completely my choice.”

Originally he planned to leave at the end of the academic year.

Harrell began his career with the Texas district in 1992 as a special education teacher before he climbed the ranks to Uvalde High School principal and then was selected as superintendent in 2018 by the school board, ABC News reported.

Harrell’ late father, John Hal Harrell, was actually a past school superintendent of the district, the news outlet reported. He was also reportedly a city councilman, mayor and city manager in Uvalde during his life.

When Harrell made his retirement announcement Oct. 10, it came a week after the school district suspended the entire school police force as outrage over the inaction by law enforcement the day of the mass shooting continues into the new school year. 

With Post wires