Effective July 1, 2012, Hamilton Superintendent, Duby Santee, will retire from the Hamilton School District. Santee has served the Hamilton School District for 22 years.
Santee has been in the education field for 29 years and in his resignation letter to the HSD3 School Board on Monday, October 3, said “the time has come for me to find a new trail to explore.”
Santee served as principal of Grantsdale Elementary School for nine years, then as principal of Washington Primary School for eight years, and for the past five years he has served the Hamilton School District as Superintendent.
“It has been my good fortune to have served with the outstanding staff of the Hamilton School District,” said Santee. “Simply stated, they are the best of the best.”
Santee also thanked the current board members and those he has worked with throughout the years.
“They have been dedicated volunteers keeping the needs of the students front and center,” he said. “It has been my pleasure serving the current board as we faced the many challenges presented in today’s educational climate.”
Principals and staff in the Hamilton School District say that Mr. Santee is appreciated and will be greatly missed.
“Mr. Santee is a dedicated educator who has always put the welfare of Hamilton children first in every decision he makes,” said Kathleen Dent, Principal of Grantsdale Elementary School. “The experience and historical knowledge about the district he brings to the position of superintendent is not something that can be replaced.”
“HSD3 is a better place because of the efforts and leadership of Mr. Santee,” said Daly Elementary School Principal, Eric Larson. “I truly believe that Duby addressed each and every challenge/opportunity by asking the question, ‘what is best for the students of our district?’ and that is what made him unique. I have grown as an educational leader under the mentorship of Mr. Santee.”
“I feel privileged to have had the opportunity to work with Duby,” said Shawna Kientz, principal at Washington Elementary School. “He is truly an amazing leader, visionary and role model. He leads with integrity, fortitude, and dedication every single day. I feel confident in saying that he will be greatly missed by everyone.”