Longtime educator John Neubauer submitted a letter of resignation from his position as Tomball ISD Superintendent on Jan. 14. Neubauer has 46 years of education under his belt and said he is looking forward to retirement.

"I plan to spend time with my family and with my grandson at our farm in East Texas," he said in an email. "I also enjoy gardening, cooking, wood working, and raising cattle and honey bees. I also plan to travel to see my relatives and I'm looking forward to that."

Inspired by his mother who taught him first through fourth grade, Neubauer began his education career in 1967 when the 1936 Cherry Street campus was an intermediate school. His first classroom was in the 1936 school, where he taught sixth-, seventh-, and eighth-grade students. He later served as assistant principal at Tomball High School and then the principal for 15 years.

"My most memorable time was when I was the principal of Tomball High School," he said. "I greatly enjoyed developing relationships with the students and those participating in student organizations. Their accomplishments are memories that will last a lifetime.

"As a teacher, coach, principal, and superintendent, I have watched our students achieve their goals through academics, extra curricular programs and athletics."

Neubauer acted as superintendent for 16 years, and his retirement will be effective at the end of June. During his time with the Board of Trustees, he said he is most proud of weathring the school finance crisis without laying off employees or cutting programs. TISD has also managed to maintain the same tax rate for five years.

"I think John has done an excellent job during his tenure," Board President John E. McStravick said. "He has been an asset to our entire school community. He is a dedicated educator who is loyal, practical, and caring. The District is in great shape thanks to his leadership. As he plans his retirement, he'll have more time for his family and his hobbies."