UVALDE, Texas  — Trustees in the Uvalde school district are expected to take up Superintendent Hal Harrell’s expected retirement during the closed session portion of Monday night’s board meeting.

Harrell’s wife, Donna, posted a letter from Harrell to the community on Sunday night on Facebook, saying she was doing so on his behalf because he did not have a Facebook account.

In his letter addressed to UCISD Family & Friends, Harrell praised the dedication of the school district’s staff and the quality of the Uvalde school district’s school board. The district has been in turmoil since a gunman entered the Robb Elementary School campus at the end of the last school year and killed 19 children and two teachers.

“I am truly grateful for your support and well wishes. My decision to retire has not been made lightly and was made after much prayer and discernment,” Harrell wrote. “My wife and I love you all and this community that we both grew up in, therefore this decision was a difficult one for us. I have been blessed to work among amazing educators and staff who believe in education for more than 30 years, which have all been in our beautiful community.”

Harrell added that his decision was made after much reflection and was completely his choice. Harrell, a graduate of Uvalde High School, began his career in Uvalde Consolidated Independent School District in 1992, as a special education teacher, according to the district website. Across his career, Harrell served as director of the New Hope/Excel Academy; assistant principal and principal at Uvalde High School; director of student services and deputy superintendent.

The Uvalde school board took up grievances against the school district and Harrell during a meeting on Aug. 23. After a three-hour closed executive session, the board announced it would pursue an outside review of both the school district police department and the school district’s administrative practices during the mass shooting on May 24.

Community members have expressed dissatisfaction with the accountability for the lapses that led to the mass shooting. UCISD Police Chief Pete Arredondo was suspended in June and eventually fired in August after a due process hearing.

Because of the ongoing investigation into the police department’s actions during the Robb shooting, the activities of the entire police department were suspended on Friday until a reorganization report is completed. 

At the same time, UCISD Interim Police Chief Mike Hernandez and administrator Ken Mueller were put on administrative leave. Mueller, the director of student services, resigned.

In his own note to the community, Harrell wrote, “My heart was broken on May 24th and I will always and (sic) pray for each precious life that was taken as well as their families. It has been an honor and a privilege to serve you all. #UvaldeProud.”

Harrell said he would remain in the school district until a new superintendent is named.

The following is Harrell’s message to the Uvalde community: