Times are changing for Cassopolis Public Schools.

Superintendent Tracy Hertsel will be retiring at the end of June. Hertsel has been in his position since 2011 and has worked in the Cassopolis school district for 29 years. He started as a literature and economics teaching, and worked his way up to administrative roles.

“There have a been a lot of changes, but they’ve all been for good things,” Hertsel said. “I’ve certainly enjoyed working at every level.”

Hertsel said he chose to retire for many reasons, some of which were personal. However, one of the biggest reasons was because he wanted to reduce the levels of stress in his life.

“The timing was just right,” Hertsel said. “This is truly a job that is 24/7, no doubt about it. You don’t really get away from it all that often, which is truly one of the biggest challenges of this job.”

Hertsel said that though many of those who work with him are sad to see him go, they have been working hard to get the schools prepared for the next era of leadership.

After Hertsel leaves, the superintendent position will be taken over by Angela Piazza, currently the assistant superintendent of Goshen Community Schools in Indiana. Piazza has been working with Hertsel to get trained and acquainted with Cassopolis schools.

Hertsel has also been working with other administrator in order to make Piazza’s transition easier.

When he looks back, Hertsel is proud of many of the things he was able to accomplish with the schools during his tenure as superintendent. Some of these accomplishments include pushing through a millage to give the schools extra funding, securing warranties on the school roofs, interior repairs in the high school and the introduction of an in-school wellness center. Hertsel said one of the biggest things and one of his proudest achievements is the improvement of security in Cassopolis schools by, upgrading security cameras and other procedures.

“Some of my greatest accomplishments over the last five years as superintendent were things that were just let go over time,” Hertsel said.

As of June 30, people will no longer be able to find Hertsel in the public schools, but they will still be able to find him out in the community.

He will continue to serve at the fire department, where he has been volunteering since 1982. He will also continue to sit on the board of the Cass Family Clinic.

Residents will even be able to see him as the grand marshal in the upcoming Memorial Day parade.

“I’m not going anywhere. I’m still going to be out in the community,” Hertsel said. “I’m not moving away. I’m just trying to step back and let the next generation go through.”

Though he is leaving, Hertsel said Cassopolis schools will always be near and dear to his heart. He said he feels particularly strongly because he was born and raised in Cass County, and has seen the schools through decades of both learning and leadership.

“What I wanted was for the kids in this community to have a better opportunity than I had, and give them the opportunities to succeed in society today,” Hertsel said. “I’ve had a pretty good run.”