‘Incredibly rewarding’: Edgar reflects on SJSD tenure after announcing intent to retire
By Jazmine Knight
Superintendent Gabe Edgar announced Wednesday that he will be leaving his role after the 2024-25 academic year and beginning a new chapter in his life.
Edgar began his 28-year career in public education in the Marceline R-V school district as a business teacher and coach. He was hired in 2019 as St. Joseph School District’s chief financial officer. Then in 2022, he was promoted to superintendent.
“I’ve given my life to public education,” Edgar said. “(It’s) evolved, and it’s different and it has changed 365 over the last 28 years. I’ve enjoyed every minute of it.”
In August of 2022, SJSD passed a 61-cent renewal levy to increase pay for teachers and staff. Additionally, Edgar can be credited for installing a districtwide intercom system, increasing HVAC efficiency, as well as the replacement of multiple tracks and roadways at area schools.
“Serving this community has been an incredibly rewarding experience,” Edgar said in a press release.
Edgar said he’s proud of many of his accomplishments within the district, but the most notable would be Hillyard Technical Center.
“Hillyard is something that was near and dear to my heart when I first got here,” he said.
Edgar is excited to witness some of Hillyard’s expansions in the next few weeks, including a 22,000-square-foot building addition and a new medical wing. Edgar also talked about possibly adding another expansion in the future.
“I’ll be honest with you, before I’m even out of here 12 months from now, I bet we begin talks about a new expansion of Hillyard, because that’s something that this community greatly needs,” he said.
But none of these accomplishments could be done without a great team by his side. Edgar thanked everyone who has worked with him, from administration to teachers and everyone in between. He said he believes the future of St. Joseph schools is bright.
“I’ll miss (the) friendships … there’s a lot of good people in St. Joe,” Edgar said.
For one St. Joseph parent, he is ready to see what the new superintendent can do. He knows that whoever is hired has a big role to play in our community.
“I think it’s a tough job to step into. Like, obviously we’ve had numerous superintendents in the last decade. And, you know, depending on who you ask, they may or may not have been satisfied,” said district parent Donovan Brooks.
Brooks has four children currently in St. Joseph schools. He said it’s a little disheartening to see other districts thrive, but he’s confident that improvement is underway within the district.
“We just hope people can kind of unify and work together for the, for the one purpose of, like, kids and teachers,” he said.
Brooks is proud of all the selfless teachers within the district but hopes with new leadership the district can make significant progress.
“Hopefully they can help breathe life into the city and the residents of what the vision for the school district and the school board and everything else,” Brooks said.
For the new superintendent, the search begins now. School board President LaTonya Williams said an official timeline will be posted on the SJSD website. They plan to vote on a new superintendent at the December board meeting.
“We would hope that they are able to continue the good efforts Dr. Edgar has already begun such as the long-range plan,” Williams said. “Also an increased focus on teacher retention and recruitment as well as academics.”
Williams said she will miss Edgar’s approachable personality.
“He’s a people person,” she said. “He referees in the community, helps with Meals on Wheels. And so, I just always appreciated how he had our community. And our community has embraced him.”
As far as Edgar’s future plans, he will be transitioning into a corporate position. He said he was previously given the opportunity, but he wasn’t quite ready to leave the district. However, he said he believes now is the perfect time.
Edgar’s last day is June 30, 2025, and the new superintendent will begin July 1.
