Harrist retires after 48 years with Atlanta ISD

After 48 years in education Superintendent Sidney Harrist will be retiring from Atlanta District schools apart from a part-time project, he anticipates coming up soon.

Harrist begin his career as a teacher in 1974 where he spent four years. From there he moved into the role of a high school counselor where he spent six. Then Harrist spent 11 years as the assistant principal of the high school, and then eight as the principal of the grade school. In 2007 he moved to the administration building where he became the assistant superintendent staying there for seven years. In the 2013-14 school year he became the superintendent of Atlanta ISD where he stayed until now, retirement. Harrist said he was proud to be a Rabbit. He had opportunities to go elsewhere, but it was always his dream to stay in Atlanta, noting how much he appreciated the opportunity.

When asked about some of his favorite things or highlights of his time in Atlanta ISD, Harris fondly remembers helping the building of the new Jr. High School building and generating more state funding for the school district. Harrist also affectionately remembers going to Washington to accept an award for being accepted as a Blue-Ribbon winner celebrating the top 325 schools in the nation.

Harrist also was honored to be named the Region 8, Superintendent of the Year, humbling noting that there were several amazing Superintendents in region 8, to be chosen was amazing. Probably two of the things Harrist is most proud of though, is that the district is not declining in students and helping students throughout the years to become functional adults and citizens.

Retirement is going to allow him to spend more time with his family, ways Harrist. He acknowledged that it probably had been hard on his wife throughout the years because of the time he spent at the school. He mentioned though that he and his wife plan on traveling and visiting his six grandchildren.

Harrist did say that it might not be a complete retirement though because he does plan on helping parttime to build a new CTE facility and a softball/baseball complex on school grounds. Harrist made sure to note that no bonds or taxes will ask for from the tax payors to build the new facilities. Over the last few years, the school district has been able to save money, says Harrist, because of increased enrollment and other things. During this conversation, he wanted to say thanks to the taxpayers that helped make sure that Atlanta ISD has had some of the best facilities in the area.

When asked what Harrist will miss most, he said that he will miss spending the day to day with the faculty which he considers family. “I have always tried to create a family-style atmosphere here at Atlanta ISD. I will miss that family.” Harrist said he will also miss the kids, with which he said he still has had a chance to interact along the way.

When asked what he owed his success to, Harris said surrounding good people around him. “It wasn’t Sidney that won the Superintendent of the Year Award, it was the principals, teachers, and auxiliary people that made my job easier. “We have the best principals, teachers, bus drivers, and other faculty. They have made my job easy.”

Harrist wanted to say thanks to the people who mentored him along the way like Caleb Johnson, Mrs. Guest, and Mr. Schoeman to name a few. He again went on to thank the great people around him again for their hard work.

Harrist quotes Mark Twain, made popular again by Roy Rogers, “Find a job you enjoy doing, and you will never have to work a day in your life.”

Watch this interview in its entirety in the upcoming video podcast on the Journal-Sun’s social media pages. Find the links here: https://www.casscountynow.com/media-links