By Sue Kiesewetter
Enquirer contributor

SPRINGFIELD TWP. - Superintendent Sam Martin will leave the Finneytown Schools July 31 when he retires, after deciding to pass on a chance to return.

Martin, 52, who is starting his fourth year as superintendent of the 1,791-pupil district, is eligible to retire at the end of the year and asked the school board in August if it would hire him back.

But over the weekend, Martin called board members and said he was no longer interested in being hired back after he retired, said Gary Metzger, president of the Finneytown Board of Education.

"It was definitely a surprise twist for us,'' Metzger said. "We were prepared to allow him to retire and be rehired. We very reluctantly accepted his resignation."

The news also surprised Finneytown parent Patty Kathman, who opposed last year's decision to move from neighborhood schools to grade-level buildings. That happened three months ago.

"I think he (Martin) felt he's not welcome anymore. We've gone through so much. There's bitter feelings between him and the community,'' Kathman said. "But I was ready to move on for the benefit of the children. I wish he would have stayed until his contract was up (in July 2005) to see this through.''

Martin could not be reached for comment.

The Ohio School Boards Association will assist in the search for a new superintendent.