Huntsville City Schools superintendent Christie Finley will retire at the end of the 2022-23 school year, the district announced Friday.

This school year will mark Finley’s fifth leading the state’s largest city school district.

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“It is the right time for the district and the right time for my family,” Finley said in a video announcement Friday. “Serving as superintendent alongside incredible faculty and staff members has been a true joy. I am looking forward to finishing out the school year strong and continuing to witness the great work taking place in Huntsville City Schools.”

Finley, a 30-year educator, began her career as a social studies teacher at Bob Jones High School.

She holds an undergraduate degree from Auburn University, a master’s degree in school counseling from Alabama A&M University in school counseling and an educational leadership degree from the University of South Alabama.

Finley spent much of her career serving in various teaching and administrative roles in Huntsville City Schools.

In 2018, the Huntsville City Schools board appointed her as superintendent.

“While it’s hard to say goodbye, I know I’m leaving behind a team in this room, as well as our principals, faculty and staff members, who are building our district’s future,” Finley said Friday.

Finley said her main goal was to “leave the district better than she found it,” and to build strong partnerships with the community.

Read more: Find your school’s performance on state report cards.

From 2017-18 to 2021-22, Huntsville City Schools went from a C on the state report card to a B.

Academic achievement scores, especially in math, dipped in 2021-22, but the school system saw greater academic growth in that time span, according to state data.

In 2020, Finley was named the District 9 Superintendent of the Year by School Superintendents of Alabama. She also earned the Legislative Engagement award for her work with state lawmakers.

“Christie Finley has been a dedicated public servant and an exemplary leader for Huntsville City Schools,” Huntsville Mayor Tommy Battle said in a statement. “We thank her for her years of service to our teachers, students, parents and community. We trust the Huntsville Board of Education will find an outstanding new superintendent to lead our education system.”