Melissa Conrath will retire as Worthington City School District superintendent in mid-October.

"It was a very difficult decision to retire this year," Conrath said. "I have spent the last 361/2 years in public education, so it is very difficult, but I know that this is the right decision for me and my family."

Conrath has served as superintendent of Worthington schools for six years.

Prior to her position in Worthington, Conrath was superintendent at Big Walnut Local Schools for 11 years.

"Having the opportunity to finish my career in education in Worthington is a real privilege," she said.

Conrath said school board members will begin the search for a new superintendent soon and hope to hire someone who will begin working in August.

Conrath plans to work with that new superintendent until her retirement.

"It was the interest of the board members that they have some overlap to help with the transition," she said. "We also will have a number of district-level positions that will turn over this year, because many administrators are getting close to retirement time."

Conrath said she has not yet decided what retirement will bring.

"I'll be opening up a new chapter in my life, but I'm not sure yet what that will be," she said.