The Hart School District Governing Board has announced plans to name deputy superintendent Vicki Engbrecht as Superintendent, effective Feb. 1, 2015. The formal announcement is to be made at the regularly scheduled school board meeting Oct. 1.

This announcement follows the announced retirement of Rob Challinor, who has served as superintendent for nearly five years.

In a planned transition, Engbrecht will be named superintendent-elect, effective Nov. 1, 2014 and will assume the position of superintendent upon the retirement of Challinor on Feb. 1, 2015.

Engbrecht has been with the Hart District for the past 38 years as a teacher, high school principal, director of curriculum and has served in her current position of deputy superintendent and assistant superintendent of educational services for the past seven years. In addition to helping to set the direction of the District during her tenure here, Engbrecht has gained valuable experience working with the Board, superintendent, and site administrators on the day to day operational issues, gaining unique insight to the challenges of running a large school district.

Upon Engbrecht’s appointment to superintendent-elect on Wednesday evening, Challinor will assist over the next few months with the transition, as well as work on designated projects for the District until his retirement on Feb. 1, 2015.

Superintendent Challinor, who announced in August his retirement effective February 1, 2015, has provided outstanding leadership to the Hart District for nearly five years. His announcement six months prior to the actual date of retirement was designed to allow the Governing Board maximum flexibility in selecting his successor and allowing for an appropriate period of transition so that the impact of his departure would be minimized.

“Challinor’s legacy includes increasing student achievement while successfully guiding the District through some of the most perilous economic times, providing state-of-the art facilities for our students and staff, and building a strong district management team,” board president Steve Sturgeon said. “We thank Mr. Challinor for his outstanding service to the Hart District and wish him the best in his retirement.”