He spent 12 years as Independence School District superintendent. Now he’s retiring
Independence School District superintendent Dr. Dale Herl will retire at the end of the school year, the district and school board announced Tuesday.
Herl’s last day as ISD superintendent will be June 30, though he will be employed by the district as a financial analyst through June 30, 2026.
Herl worked for the Independence School District for 16 years and was superintendent for 12 years, according to the district. He was at least the fourth internal superintendent hire in a row. His first four years at ISD, from 2009 to 2013, were spent as the deputy superintendent of business and finance.
Before coming to Independence, Herl was superintendent of the Burrton School District in Burrton, Kansas, for three years. Earlier, Herl was a principal with the Greeley County School District in Tribune Township, Kansas.
“His leadership has been instrumental in driving innovation, expanding educational opportunities, and improving outcomes for all students,” the district and school board wrote in a joint statement shared Tuesday.
The search for an interim ISD superintendent
During the last years of his tenure at ISD, Hurl navigated the switch to a four-day school week, which he later named as a driving factor in enrollment increases at some Independence schools. He also faced criticism for banning parents and community members from district property, including a former school board candidate who spoke out against Herl during a school board meeting.
Herl shared Tuesday that he plans to spend his retirement focusing on his family and following the athletic journeys of his children, including two college athletes and one overseas professional football player.
“I’m incredibly proud of what we’ve accomplished together and grateful for the opportunity to serve this community,” Herl wrote.
The district will begin to search for an interim superintendent within the next few weeks, according to district and school board administrators.
