"I'll be transitioning to a new, simple life," Peterson told the Homer News, adding that she will not be leaving the state, nor will she be looking for other employment. "I'm realigning some priorities."

At the top of Peterson's priority list is her caring for her 94-year-old grandmother, who currently resides in Nevada. In addition, Peterson's daughter is a junior at the University of Oregon.

"She is playing volleyball and traveling with the team and I'm going to go to some of her games," Peterson said.

Since 1999, Peterson has been at the helm of KPBSD.

"I did not anticipate being in the role more than two or three years," she said in a letter to board president Sammy Crawford. "I would like to thank the board, staff, parents, students, communities and business partners for the opportunity to serve. The experiences I've had have been the highlight of my professional career."

Calling Peterson "one of the top superintendents in the United States," board vice president Sunny Hilts of Seldovia said Peterson would be hard to replace.

"But she's built a great foundation and we've got somewhere solid to take off from," Hilts said.

Board member Liz Downing of Homer also praised Peterson's contributions.

"She has been so responsive when there are issues. It was always rare that something wasn't done to begin solving a problem by the next day. She's very aware of all aspects of running the school district and has keen judgment," Downing said. "She's a smart, smart woman. It's been wonderful working with her. ... She'll be missed."

Peterson's departure from the district will be addressed during a school board work session Monday. Also to be addressed are the resignations of Walsworth and Schweigert.

Walsworth has been West Homer's principal for seven years. His career in education spans more than 30 years.

"I'm most proud of the 23 years spent working for the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District as a math and science instructor, coach, and athletic and building administrator," Walsworth said in a letter to Peterson.

Downing described Walsworth as "the force behind one of the best elementary schools in the state."

"He's a terrific guy and I think he's going to find some exciting things to do," Downing said. "He's got so much to give any organization that he's involved with that I think he will just keep contributing to this community."

The process to find a new principal for West Homer will be discussed at a site council meeting scheduled for 5 p.m. Wednesday at the school library.

Schweigert is in her second year as principal at Nanwalek.

"The staff, students and village are all working very hard to meet increasingly higher standards, and it is an honor to have been a small part of that engagement," Schweigert said in her letter to Peterson announcing her intent to leave the district. "However, as previously discussed, I am retired and have made commitments in other parts of my life that are not allowed when working full-time."

"She came under extraordinary circumstances, when the principal had to leave. She came as a relief and stayed another year. We're really grateful for that," Hilts said. "She's made some really good progress."

McKibben Jackinsky can be reached at mckibben.jackinsky@homernews.com.