Carthage elementary principal announces retirement

In a posting today on the Carthage R-9 School District Facebook page, Steadley Elementary Principal Tom Barlow announced his retirement effective at the end of the 2022-2023 school year.

Barlow's message is printed below:

After 43 years of being in the business of helping kids learn and grow, it is time for me to retire, effective at the end of this school year. I will remain principal until then but notifying district leadership at this time helps them to begin the important process of finding a replacement, and the earlier they can get started on that, the better it will be for the entire school.

It has been a challenge to make this critical decision. What a blessing it is to get to be with your children each and every day. And, as far as I am concerned, you are the absolute best and most supportive parents, grandparents and patrons on the planet.

 
But…it is time.

I thank God for the pleasure, privilege, honor and blessing of being part of this wonderful school, district and community. The sunset of my career could not have happened in a better place, nor with a better bunch of people.

Sincerely,
Tom Barlow, Ed.D.
Steadley Principal