Linden City School superintendent and Linden Elementary School principal Scott Collier will retire at the end of this school year.

Collier, who has served as superintendent for three years, is a 22 year employee of the Linden City Schools system. For the last 11 years, he has served in the central office as a federal programs technology coordinator.

“I’ve planned to do this for years and years,” he said. “I’ll have 24 years, plus enough time to be eligible. That’s what I had always planned to do; that’s what I intend to do.

“There is no particular reason, other than it’s what I planned to do. I thought there might be some other things that I might want to try, and I can do that.”

Collier began his teaching career in Conecuh County, teaching for two years there before returning to his hometown of Linden. He began here at George P. Austin Junior High School and taught at Linden High School before coming to the elementary school as principal.

“I’ve had some experience at all levels,” he said. “My first year at George P., I taught math and computer, taught that at the high school for years, coached just about everything — baseball, football, girls’ basketball — done some of everything. It’s been a joy; I have very much appreciated it.

“What I will remember most is the relationships with the faculty and staff and the kids who you feel like you’ve made a difference in their life. We’ve had a bunch of them go on and be successful. That’s the rewarding part of being in education.”

Collier is a 1981 graduate of Marengo Academy and graduated from the University of West Alabama.

“To be honest with you, (if) anybody gets into education, I hope, (it) is because they feel like they are called to do that,” he said.

“That’s the way I felt. I wanted to work with young people. I felt that’s what my calling was. I couldn’t think of a better profession to be in if you wanted to make a difference in young people’s lives other than school teacher.”

Collier said that being superintendent wasn’t as bad as he thought it might be when he started.

“It was enjoyable simply because I have such good staff to work with, so it wasn’t as difficult as I thought it might be,” he said.

“The best part has always been being able to work with the kids. The least favorable part was the bureaucracy and the paper work! Overall, though, it has been a really good experience.”

Collier said that he has no specific plans for what to do after he retires, adding that he would do some hunting and fishing, ride his motorcycle and relax for a while.

“I want to try to be open to what the Lord wants me to do,” he said. “That’s my goal, to seek Him and what He wants me to do and try to go in the open doors that He opens for me.”

Collier said the Linden City board of education would make the decision on how to proceed to find a new superintendent, adding that the board would likely address the issue at its next meeting on March 29.