Turkey Valley Superintendent John Rothlisberger will soon transition from helping students and teachers at school to helping through volunteer work.
At a special Turkey Valley School Board meeting on Friday, the school leader resigned his position as joint superintendent at Turkey Valley and North Fayette schools.
“My wife retired a week ago Friday and I always anticipated working as long as she worked,” said Rothlisberger on Wednesday. 
After checking into retirement, the superintendent learned he is eligible for retirement this summer. June 30 will be his last day at the helm of the schools.
Rothlisberger said at one time he considered going into ministry, but decided he could serve many people by staying in education. He sees retirement as a chance to reach out to others through organizations like Habitat for Humanity or food pantries.
“There’s a lot of people who don’t get time to do these kinds of things,” he said. “I’ve got a list of all the things I want to do and I can’t do that while I’m still working full-time.”
Rothlisberger said the church he attends is planning a mission trip to Tanzania to construct a building that will serve as a shelter and church just before he retires in June.
“That intrigues the daylights out of me, being able to help out with that kind of work,” he explained. “That’s the excitement for me, the doors (retirement) opens.”
Rothlisberger and wife Jani, who recently retired after more than 31 years as a nurse at Palmer Lutheran Health Center, will also have the opportunity to spend more time with their two grandchildren in Waverly.
The economy also played a role in the superintendent’s decision to retire.
“If I can step aside and let other people move up ... that opens up an employment opportunity,” he explained.
Rothlisberger served as superintendent at Turkey Valley for five years and at Center Point for two years before that.  He led the Fredericksburg School District for one year before the district began whole-grade sharing with Sumner. Most of the educator’s teaching years were spent at Valley Community School District.
During his time at Turkey Valley, Rothlisberger said he enjoyed working with the staff and school board members.  Strengthening the school’s theater program, including upgrading the stage, and updating the science classrooms have been highlights  during his time with the school.
For the past year, North Fayette has contracted with Turkey Valley to share a superintendent. On Monday, the North Fayette School Board voted to terminate its superintendent sharing contract after the current superintendent’s retirement.
Rothlisberger said he offered to help the Turkey Valley School Board in its search for a new superintendent.
“We’re going to meet and start looking at the options,” he said.