Laurel School District Superintendent Dr. Glenn McGee in a press conference Wednesday afternoon announced that he will step down as superintendent of the school district at the end of the school year.

McGee, who acknowledged concern about future budget cuts and academic achievement of students, said in a 30-minute press announcement in the auditorium at the school district’s central office that these things were not a factor in his decision.

McGee, who has worked in the field of education for 37 years, told the room filled with Laurel School District employees and the media that he is retiring at the end of the 2009-2010 School Year for personal reasons.

“At some point you have to make some changes,” he said. “I need to retire as superintendent of the Laurel School District.

“It’s about me,” he added. “It’s not a decision I had to make.”

McGee, who reiterated his love for children, said he made this decision on Tuesday night, just prior to informing the Laurel School Board, which was conducting its regular meeting.

“It was surprising to the board,” McGee said, adding that he still has two years remaining on his contract. “You don’t make the decision easily to walk away.

“I’ve done my best. ... I just did the Lord’s will and I’m at peace with it. ...We all live for peace and happiness,” the superintendent added. “I’m at this serious point in my life where I want to concentrate on family, spirituality and my friends more.”

McGee, who is married and has two children and a granddaughter, said he wants to spend more time with his family.

The Starkville native obtained his bachelor of science degree from Jackson State University and his masters and doctorate degrees from Mississippi State University.

McGee began his teaching career in the Starkville School District in 1973. He worked in that district as a teacher, assistant principal and principal before leaving in 1994.

He went on to serve as assistant superintendent for the Tupelo Public School District from August 1994 until June 30, 2000 when he decided to come to Laurel.

McGee was appointed superintendent of the Laurel School District 10 years ago and began his tenure here on July 1, 2000.

While McGee said his decision to retire is final, he reminded everyone that he plans to continue to serve the school district well throughout this school year.

“I am still the superintendent. The board expects me to still run the school district, and I will,” he said. “We still have a lot of work to do.”

McGee said the district will continue to work on school improvements and students’ achievements.

“Achievement is going to get better,” he said.

McGee credited his staff for any successes he may have had during his tenure with the Laurel School District.

However, under McGee’s leadership, he has led the district through several changes including the passage of a bond issue that helped to fund the Laurel School District’s Strategic Facilities Plan – which involved various improvements at the existing schools in the district and the recent construction of the new middle school.

As a part of the bond issue, the school district built the new state-of-the-art Laurel Middle School, which marks a more than a half of a century achievement. Prior to the construction of the new school, officials said, it had been over 50 years since the school district had broke ground for a new school.

While McGee only moved to Laurel in 2000, he said he “calls Laurel home.”

McGee said Wednesday that he has no plans to move from Laurel.

“I’ve had 10 great years here and my children have grown up here,” McGee said. “This is my home. ... I have a house here and I pay taxes here.”

McGee said he’s a “product of the public school system and will always be a supporter.”

The superintendent said he’s looking forward to sleeping late and spending more time with his family.

McGee’s resignation will become effective June 30, 2010.