On Jan. 26, Michelle Murphy, superintendent of the Rim of the World Unified School District, sent a letter to the school community, informing them of her decision to retire at the end of the current school year “to work on my personal health issues.

“I am so proud to be ending my career as your superintendent in the Rim of the World Unified School District,” Murphy wrote. “We have struggled, grown and come to appreciate one another over the last five years. When I attended meetings across the state in my duties, I have spoken with pride as your superintendent of the work that you do and the community that you are. Go Rim!”

Murphy explained that she was sharing the news now as she plans to work with the school board to help search for the next superintendent. The early announcement, she added, will “give us time to work together to build consistency and a smooth transition for Rim this summer.”

Murphy added that she looks forward to visiting the Rim campuses over the next five months. And she especially looks forward to attending her final graduation.

“I am sure that I will have tears when I accept my last graduating class on behalf of the state. Some of my fondest memories in my 33 years have been in Rim such as interviewing seniors every December, jumping in the lake in February, walking Lake Gregory with VOE teachers, monthly school site visits, watching Mr. Whitesell as he gets 10th-grade boys to sing in Spanish, helping out at football games, the Senior Walk tradition in June and establishing life-long relationships.

“Thank you for allowing me to serve in Rim of the World.”