By DAVE DOMESCIK | Staff Writer

PELHAM – Pelham City Schools will be looking for a new superintendent after current PCS Superintendent Dr. Chuck Ledbetter announced his retirement at the Pelham Board of Education meeting on Monday, April 28.

Ledbetter’s retirement will become effective on Monday, June 30. Ledbetter expressed his thankfulness for the Pelham community and the privilege of serving Pelham in his letter.

“Serving Pelham City Schools as superintendent for three years has been a tremendous privilege and a great honor,” Ledbetter said. “Pelham City Schools has outstanding educators, committed parents and students who display excellent character. The results show in every way.”

Ledbetter has spent 36 years working as a full-time educator, and explained a sentimental reason for why now was the right time to step away.

“To be part of this high-performing and ever-improving Pelham City Schools team has been the pinnacle of my career as an educator,” he said. “I have been a full-time educator for 36 years. Making the decision to step away from a lifetime career was not done lightly. I have family obligations and the opportunity to honor my parents by serving them in their final years is one I cannot let pass.”

Ledbetter specifically mentioned his 91-year-old father and what it will mean to be able to enjoy some time with him.

“This school system has so much to be proud of,” he said. “It has been a blessing to be here but also a blessing to understand my need to go. The opportunity I have with a 91-year-old father is pretty unique and I need to take advantage of that.”

He also said that he knew he could do so because of those within the school system already who are primed to carry Pelham’s success forward.

“I realize full well, and I have always realized for a while, that I will be missed about as long as that hole in the bucket when you pull your arm out of the water because we have great educators who are ready to step in,” Ledbetter said. “That’s why I can’t do the job part time because we have people who can do the job very well and better than me full time.”

He said he will look back fondly on his time with PCS and will always consider himself a Pelham Panther.

“The commitment to support schools by the community, the continued academic growth as evident by rising scores on state report card and the incredibly-high performance of Pelham students in competitive contests with other students makes this place special,” he said. “Extra-curricular competitions in athletics and arts and student competition and curricular field competition showcase the Pelham Way better than any advertisement could.”

With Ledbetter’s retirement, the Pelham Board of Education will begin the process of selecting a new superintendent, with plans to have new leadership in place before the beginning of the 2025-2026 school year.

“I will miss Pelham City Schools and the outstanding colleagues I have here when I depart, but I also know the work will continue as Pelham moves forward with new leadership,” he said. “I will watch Pelham’s continued progress with pride and satisfaction knowing that I was able to be a small part of it. Thank you to all of you who have and continue to work hard for the success of Pelham City Schools. Go Panthers and may God bless Pelham.”

For more information on Pelham City Schools, visit Pelhamcityschools.org.