Lake Local School Superintendent Jim Witt isn’t going to sit in a rocking chair after he retires in July.

Instead, he will start work as Bowling Green City Schools new director of buildings and grounds.

Bowling Green’s board of education tonight hired Witt and accepted the resignation of current director Charles “Chuck” Martin.

Witt was given a two-year contract, from Oct. 1, 2024, to July 31, 2026, with a base salary of $95,000.

Martin’s last day is May 4. He has been director of buildings and grounds since 2009 and was earning the same salary as offered Witt.

“This opportunity presented itself and I did want something full time” after he retired, Witt said. “I do know my way around a school district and look forward to working with Dr. Haselman and the administration, staff and students here.”

When the district has openings in its administrative team, he looks for leaders, said Superintendent Ted Haselman.

“What Mr. Witt brings to Bowling Green City Schools is a track record of continuous improvement and leadership,” Haselman said. “One of the top priorities of Bowling Green City Schools is to raise the bar every day and maintain our facilities in a top-notch manner. By hiring Mr. Witt, I believe we’re going to be able to make some improvements and maintain the facilities to the expectations of our community.”

He said the district had received “a number of applications” for the position.

“We appreciate everything Mr. Martin has done for the school district, and he has put in a lot of time, blood, sweat and tears, and we definitely appreciate him,” Haselman said.

Witt has been superintendent at Lake since July 2006.

Immediately prior to joining that district, he was athletic director at Sylvania Northview for one year. Before that, he spent seven years as a building administrator at Lake: principal at the former junior high for four years, high school assistant principal for one year and high school principal for two years.

Witt’s wife, Diane, is also retiring from the Wood County Educational Service Center.

The couple have three sons – Casey, Cody and Aaron — and two grandsons. All three sons are Lake High School graduates. Casey teachers and coaches in the district.