John F. Howe officially announced his retirement as superintendent of the Hudson City schools following a Board of Education meeting , Mon., Mar. 19. News of his decision has circulated for the past week. A Hudson native, Howe served as district superintendent for three years. This was his first experience in central administration; it was his first assignment as superintendent. Following a six-month search in late 2008, the board chose Howe to replace Interim Superintendent David Paciencia, and he assumed the district's top spot in Feb. 2009. Before a small audience Monday, Howe said he was grateful for the opportunity to serve, and cited his 34 years in education, with nearly 24 years of that time spent in Hudson as a teacher, coach and principal. "There's certainly no finish line in education, you simply pass the baton," Howe said. He vowed to continue to diligently work through the end of the school year. "I will do whatever the board asks of me," he said. Howe will officially leave the district's employ June 30. No word on when the search for his replacement will begin. Read the full story at unmuffled.