The Highland Central School District Board of Education has accepted the resignation of Superintendent Joel E. Freer, who will retire effective August 31, 2026, concluding a distinguished 22-year career in the District.

Freer has served the Highland school community in multiple leadership roles, including Middle School assistant principal, Elementary School principal, and, most recently, superintendent of schools. Throughout his tenure, he has been a steady and dedicated presence, guiding the District through both challenges and periods of growth.

Reflecting on his career, Freer cites several key accomplishments, including leading the District through the unprecedented challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, securing voter approval for the District’s most recent capital project, and helping guide the District’s response and recovery planning following the Middle School fire. These efforts, he noted, were made possible through the resilience and collaboration of the Highland community.

Freer shared that among the most rewarding aspects of his career has been mentoring administrators and supporting the development of educational leaders. Drawing on his background as a teacher and his deep understanding of the profession, he has consistently focused on making decisions that serve the best interests of students, faculty, and staff.

Over his more than two decades in Highland, Freer has built lasting relationships with families across the community. He has had the unique opportunity to see generations of students pass through the District, including former students who have returned as parents, entrusting Highland with their own children’s education.

In a message to the school community, Freer expressed his gratitude: “It has truly been an honor to serve this community…so many of you have become far more than colleagues, parents, or community members—you have become friends, and in many ways, an extension of family.”

As he prepares for retirement, Freer and his wife plan to relocate to Central Florida to be closer to their daughter and begin a new chapter.

Board of Education President Alan Barone expressed appreciation for Freer’s service, stating, “On behalf of the Board of Education and the entire Highland community, we extend our sincere gratitude to Joel for his decades of dedicated leadership and service to our schools. His steady guidance through some of the District’s most challenging and transformative moments has left a lasting impact. While we will miss his leadership, the Board is committed to identifying a qualified replacement and ensuring a seamless transition for our students, staff, and community.”