AUBURN Barbara Eretzian needs time. Time to finish the doctorate shes been working on. Time to reconnect with the students that inspire her. Time to think about her future.

What Ive found is, I cant figure it out while Im working, said the citys 14-year superintendent.

Eretzian, who has worked in the Auburn school system for 34 years, announced her retirement earlier this week in a letter placed in staff mailboxes.

On Wednesday, Eretzian opened the biweekly school committee meeting by apologizing for not telling committee members before the word got out.

As you all know, Ive been here a long time, and this is difficult for me to say, she said before reading a prepared statement to an audience of about 30 in the Washburn Elementary School library.

Eretzian said that the announcement was made in December because this has traditionally been the month when superintendents confirm whether they will return in July for another year at the job. She intends to continue through June 30.


You have all worked very hard, in quite difficult times, to provide what you believe is best for our students, Eretzian said. For this I thank you and all those I have served.

Eretzian, who also teaches school finance and organizational development classes at the University of Southern Maine, said that she intends to finish work on her doctorate in education. She also hopes to continue working in the educational field, but admitted that she wasnt sure what form that would take.

Eretzian began teaching sixth grade in Auburn in 1973. She served as principal of Great Falls School for four years and assistant superintendent of the Auburn School Department for three years before becoming superintendent in 1993. All told, Eretzian has worked with seven different school committees.

The current school committee will now face the challenge of finding a new superintendent. A search committee should be formed in January.

According to Auburn School Committee Chairman David Das, that search will be difficult at a time when other area school districts are also searching for superintendents, and the pool of applicants is dwindling.

Change is good, Das said. But what Im sure will come out of this process is what an excellent superintendent were losing.

In recent years, Eretzian has weathered budget crises and school construction troubles, growing state mandates and federal testing requirements.

She served for two years as president of the Maine School Superintendents Association, and in 2004, Eretzians three-plus decades as an educator were recognized when she was named administrator of the year by the Maine School Counselor Association, and superintendent of the year by the Maine School Superintendents Association.

Thank you all for your support throughout the years and your tireless efforts for all kids, Eretzian said. These certainly are interesting times.