Atascadero school district superintendent is retiring. ‘What a great career it’s been’
Atascadero Unified School District Superintendent Tom Butler will retire at the end of the 2024-25 school year, he announced in September, and a search is now underway for the district’s next lead administrator.
Butler has served as Atascadero’s superintendent for about 10 years — nearly a third of his 36-year career as an educator.
“What a great career it’s been,” Butler told The Tribune. “And the only way I can say that is because I’ve been able to work with the best people possible.”
Butler said he’s proud of his staff, his community and the graduates and current students of Atascadero schools. His greatest accomplishment, he said, has been watching Atascadero graduates go on to succeed in their college and career pathways, and become “positive citizens” within the communities they’ve chosen to live in.
Butler told The Tribune he appreciates the work that staff, trustees, parents and students have put into making Atascadero a successful district.
“I hope I’ve been able to make a positive contribution (to) our students as well,” Butler said.
As far as retirement plans go, Butler said he wants to “pay back” his family for all the time he’s dedicated to the district over the last 10 years.
“This job has taken a lot of time, and that’s understandable,” Butler said. “That’s part of the job.”
In retirement he’ll be able to spend more time with his wife, children and grandchildren.
“I’m going to do a little fishing as well,” Butler said.
The district is currently in the process of searching for a new superintendent. Trustees planned to choose a firm to support the search at the district’s Nov. 5 board meeting.
Atascadero school board president Terri Switzer could not immediately be reached for comment.
Butler told The Tribune he elected to announce his decision early in the school year to ensure trustees had enough time and support to find a fitting replacement.
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