Update from the Independence School District

Tuesday, May 20, 2025
Independence School District
Joint Statement regarding Dr. Herl’s Retirement

The Independence School District and Dr. Dale Herl announce that he will be retiring from his position as Superintendent of Schools effective June 30, 2025. After 16 years of dedicated service to the District — including the last 12 years as superintendent — Dr. Herl has made the decision to retire from the superintendency.

Throughout his tenure, Dr. Herl has led the District with vision, integrity, and a deep commitment to student achievement. His leadership has been instrumental in driving innovation, expanding educational opportunities, and improving outcomes for all students.

To ensure a smooth and effective transition, Dr. Herl has agreed to remain with the District in a transitional capacity as a financial analyst through June 30, 2026. In this role, he will continue to support District leadership by providing financial guidance and strategic insight during the leadership transition process.

Dr. Herl shared, “I’m incredibly proud of what we’ve accomplished together and grateful for the opportunity to serve this community. As I step into this next chapter, I’m excited to spend more time with my family — especially as I have two children competing in college athletics next year and another son playing professional football overseas.”

The Board of Education and District leadership thank Dr. Herl for his extraordinary service and his continued dedication to the success of the Independence School District. We look forward to working closely with him during this period of transition. 

More information regarding the search for an interim superintendent will be shared in the coming weeks.