Mount Vernon superintendent Greg Batenhorst will be retiring at the end of the 2023-24 school year. The decision was announced after Batenhorst’s performance review with the Mount Vernon School Board this year.
Batenhorst will retire with 40 years in education.
“This is the timeline that my wife and I committed to back in the summer of 2021, and I am pleased that the Board has remained supportive of my work throughout the years,” Batenhorst said.
Batenhorst said that by announcing his intentions now, he wanted to give the district time to find a suitable replacement.
“I will do everything I can to assist the Board in finding the next superintendent, and will work hard to support the new person in the transition to the role,” Batenhorst said. “I will work with the Board this summer and early fall to determine how best to move forward in the search process; and ultimately that process will involve many of you when it comes time to determine the characteristics you are looking for in a new superintendent, and to complete the interview process for the district’s new leader.”
Batenhorst said he and his wife will look to move back to Nebraska and be closer to their families there.
“We are both the youngest of our families, and we look forward to spending more time with them,” Batenhorst said. “We also plan on getting involved in volunteer work in the Omaha community, and I hope to mentor future educational leaders so they don’t make the same stupid mistakes I made on a regular basis.”
Batenhorst said his time serving as superintendent in Mount Vernon has been the highlight of his professional career.
“I could not have asked for anywhere better to serve in this role,” Batenhorst said. “It has been great because of the people, all of you, who have made it so enjoyable. I owe you so much for all you have done for me, and Mary Lou and I are so thankful for how you welcomed us into the community.
“We do not plan to be strangers, and look forward to coming back to Mount Vernon for a variety of reasons.”