USD 489 Superintendent Dean Katt has announced his intention to retire from the school district at the end of the school year in July.

“I have accepted a position in the Human Resource department in the Independence, Missouri school district,” Katt said. “It was a very difficult decision to make.  It is hard to leave a place that you enjoy so much.”

Katt has been in USD 489 for three years, starting as an interim superintendent in Sep. 2013.

“I had planned to retire in 2013, but when this opportunity was presented I changed my mind and accepted the position,” Katt said. “I was appointed as the permanent superintendent a few months later.”

In his three years, Katt has had his share of tough decisions and great accomplishments.

“The biggest accomplishments have been putting the district back on a ‘financially sound’ track and integrating a one to one technology initiative in grades K-12,” Katt said. “The toughest decisions have been making the necessary cuts to be financially stable.”

After leaving the school district, Katt believes he will miss the people of USD 489 the most.

“I will miss the great staff and kids the most,” Katt said “It has been great working with such a dedicated staff and being part of a school district that has such an outstanding group of students.”

After announcing his retirement, he sent the following e-mail to the staff of USD 489:

“Making this decision has been one the toughest decision I have ever made.  Opportunities arise now and then that are just meant to be and this is one of those occasion.  I appreciate the opportunity that I was given in Hays.  This has been the best job I have ever had.  An opportunity to work with such dedicated, hardworking, caring people doesn’t come around very often and I will miss working with all of you.  Thank you for your support and hard work to make Hays what it is today.  You will continue to excel and make district an even better place in my absence.  You are in good hands.”

16szhang@usd489.com