POLK COUNTY, Fla. -- Polk County Public Schools Superintendent Jacqueline Byrd has announced she will retire in February 2021.
In a letter sent out to school district staff, Byrd said the decision was "very difficult" but added "every journey, no matter the ups and downs we may encounter thereon, always has an end."
Byrd is credited with helping the school district improve the graduation rate from 69.4% to 81.2%. She also played a part in the district's grade improving from a "C" to a "B" in 2017-2018.
Byrd was named Polk County's deputy superintendent in June 2013 before she was sworn in as superintendent on February 2016.
The school district did not say who will take over as superintendent after Byrd's last day.
