Sylvester Small — who started in the Akron Public Schools as substitute teacher in 1970 and became superintendent in 2001 — announced his retirement this morning, effective July 31.

''This will conclude a very long and rewarding career of 38 years, all within the Akron Public Schools,'' Small said at a press conference this morning.

School board members Linda Omobien and the Rev. Curtis Walker will co-chair the committee to find Small's successor, who would begin Aug. 1, according to the district's search timeline.

The board intends to contract with the Ohio School Board Association to conduct a candidate search. Applications will be due by Jan. 25. The board will meet with OSBA late this month to develop a brochure outlining what the district is looking for to fill the job. On Jan. 8, the OSBA will interview staff and community groups.

''We want the community to be involved in the process, we want to hear from our staff and we want everybody to have an opportunity to talk about the kind of person you would like to see,'' said Omobien, the board's vice president.

Longtime board member Sam Salem said that of the six superintendents he has served with, who all made significant contributions to the district, Small was the best.

''In my opinion, this man here stands at the top,'' Salem said.

In the e-mail to staff, Small thanked employees for their work on behalf of the schools and its students.

Small is completing his seventh year as superintendent of the district.

Small said he is announcing his retirement now to give the board of education and the community ''sufficient time to conduct a thorough and effective search for a qualified successor.''

Board members praised Small for his work in improving the district's performance on standardized tests during his tenure and his collaboration with the business community, churches, the University of Akron and Akron city government.

They agreed that Small has set a high bar for his replacement.

''He has been a superb leader in the truest sense of the word since he took the reins in 2001,'' said school board president Linda Kersker, who also is retiring this year after 16 years on the board.

Last month, the school board approved raises for Small and Treasurer Jack Pierson in line with the 3 percent raises recently given to teachers and secretaries for this year and next year.

The board increased Small's salary from $167,000 a year to $172,010, retroactive to Aug. 1.