Frank Petruzielo, the Cherokee County Schools superintendent will retire at the end of January 2016.
With 17 years at the head of the county schools, Petruzielo is a rarity in a profession where the average term of service is less than five years.
He was appointed appointed in 1999 when the district was on the verge of losing accreditation because of a dysfunctional school board. He led Cherokee County to become one of the top-tier systems in Georgia.
His contract ran until August of 2016, when Petruzielo had said he would retire, but he decided to step down early. He has been an educator for 50 years.
The Cherokee County School Board will begin the search for his replacement immediately.
