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Summerland Public School will search for a new leader after superintendent Dale Martin announced he is leaving the district.

Martin shared his decision with staff members, via email, Monday, after an agenda for a Nov. 23 special board meeting was released and appeared online.

Martin said, "It was a fairly quick decision."

The veteran educator told the Advocate-Messenger he will opt for the district's early retirement incentive program, which requires individuals to submit a resignation.

"The two are rolled together," Martin said.

Martin, a native of Beemer, returned to his hometown, as a social studies instructor, after graduating from Wayne State College.

After spending four years teaching in the Underwood, Iowa, system, Martin accepted the principal's position at Orchard Public School 26 years ago.

In 2012, Martin was named superintendent of Nebraska Unified District #1.

As the first superintendent of the Summerland School district, Martin called the process of forming a new school from the ground up "interesting in a good way."

"It's an exciting time to put together the new school, watch its progress," he said.

Martin's resignation will be addressed during a Nov. 23 special meeting, set for 3 p.m., in Ewing.

He said a timeline to find a replacement will be up to board of education members.

Martin will continue in the superintendent's role through June 30, 2021.