Even after the announcement last week of Escambia County Schools Superintendent Billy Hines’ planned retirement in December, school board members were trying to find a way for him to stay.

A proposal that Hines could be given a temporary contract after his retirement was suggested — but attorneys had already looked into the possibility and found that it would not be legal.

But the desire to keep Hines as the county schools’ leader speaks of his success over the past five years.

Hines has presided over the school system as state budgets have continued to tighten, leaving school officials to become more creative with the ways they use money and resources to continue to improve educational opportunities.

He has also led the school system through the continued challenges of the No Child Left Behind standards, seeing success and improvement at each school.

And Hines has already had a long career as an educator in the classroom, on the field and in administrative offices.

Hines will retire in December, and the school board now has the task of finding someone to fill his shoes. We trust they will be able to hire a leader with the same integrity and dedication to students that Mr. Hines has shown.