XENIA — Denny Morrison is retiring as superintendent of Xenia Community Schools effective July 31.

He informed the school board of his decision May 10.

Morrison has been the superintendent since taking over for Deborah Piotrowski Feb. 2014. He had previously served as superintendent in Beavercreek and in Mad River Schools. He also served the Fairborn school district as curriculum director and as a principal.

He is also finishing a term on Beavercreek Board of Education, having been elected in Nov. 2013.

“I have just been so fortunate to work with such great people who want to do what is best for kids,” he said in an email to the Gazette. “I love Xenia. I love the staff. I love the kids. This position has been a labor of love. I am just so blessed to be surrounded by so many good people. I cherish the friendships I have made here.”

But Morrison cherishes family time as well. And in an email to district staff, he cited that as his reason for retiring.

“I still love what I do, but I am really looking forward to spending more time with my wife, kids, and grandkids,” he wrote.

Since taking over as superintendent, the district has gone through a renaissance of sorts. Enrollment is a couple hundred kids higher than state projections, the five star preschool has grown exponentially and finances are as good as they have been in years.

“Denny has brought this district into what it is today,” Board President Pam Callahan said. “We are sad (he is leaving). It will be a difficult thing to try to consider where the district goes from here.”

Callahan said there will likely be a series of meetings and discussions about Morrison’s replacement.

“We want to do this right,” she said.