Graham Jaehnig/Daily Mining Gazette The Hancock School Board has accepted the resignation of Superintend Steve Patchin. His resignation is effective as of Sept. 30, 2023.

By GRAHAM JAEHNIG

gjaehnig@mininggazette.com

HANCOCK — Hancock School Board at its regular July meeting Monday, voted to accept the resignation of district Superintendent Steve Patchin. Patchin’s resignation is effective as of Sept. 30, 2023.

Patchin was absent from the meeting.

Board President Dale Karo told the board that he and fellow Trustee Catherine Jordan had talked with Patchin and asked him to finish out his contract term, but he declined.

“He initially said he was going to be here for five years,” said Karo, “but September is more in line with his retirement eligibility in September.”

Patchin said that for the record, that he is not retiring. In a Tuesday interview, he said that his vision for the school district is just different from that of the school board’s.

“That’s the official story I’m telling you,” said Patchin. “My vision and the board’s vision are different and that’s why it was time to move on.”

Patchin said that while he will become eligible for retirement in September, retirement is not in his immediate plans.

“I have a few more years left in me,” he said.

The board also accepted the resignation of Randy Heinonen at Monday’s meeting. Heinonen was not present at the meeting, and his name has been removed from the school’s website.