News Photo by Julie Riddle Scott Reynolds, superintendent of the Alpena-Montmorency-Alcona Educational Service District, earns a grin from student Kierra Barrett as he works on a sensory activity with Pied Piper School students at the school on Friday.

ALPENA — Scott Reynolds, superintendent of the Alpena-Montmorency-Alcona Educational Service District, on Thursday resigned from his position, effective at the end of the 2021-2022 school year.

The board accepted Reynolds’ letter of resignation with regrets at Thursday evening’s monthly board meeting, according to Lee Fitzpatrick, AMA ESD board president.

Calling the AMA ESD “the best place I’ve ever worked,” Reynolds told The News he has nothing but affection and admiration for the people who make up the district.

“You’re probably wondering, why leave if it’s so phenomenal?” Reynolds said.

The answer came simply.

“It’s time,” he said.

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Reynolds has filled the superintendent role for five years. Before that, he served for three years as principal at Pied Piper School in Alpena, totalling 25 years working in education.

After achieving the highest possible ranking on evaluations and, he said, receiving strong board support, Reynolds feels the time has come for him to do something else. He elected to submit his resignation letter now to allow the district time to find a replacement by the end of the school year.

The district has scheduled appointments with two search firms and is developing a plan to have a new superintendent in place by the end of June, Fitzpatrick reported.

The stresses of the last few years, endured together by district staff, reaffirmed for him the quality and strength of the district as it pulled together to navigate a difficult time, Reynolds said.

He’s not sure what his future looks like, but he plans to stay involved in the community, at least through volunteering, and looks forward to watching the district’s progress from a new perspective.

For Reynolds, the best part of working in education is watching students grow, physically, academically, and as people.

“It truly is a gift to be witness to that,” Reynolds said.

On Friday afternoon, Reynolds squished dough with children in a primary moderate cognitively impaired classroom at Pied Piper, where he began his career with AMA ESD.

The superintendent will be greatly missed, said special education teacher Janis Sahr, calling Reynolds playful, caring, and laughter-filled.

“Everyone say ‘Bye’ to Scott,” Sahr told the children as he prepared to leave the classroom.

“Bye,” a chorus of small voices trailed behind him.