Putnam County Schools will be without Superintendent of Schools John G. Hudson on July 1, 2026, as Hudson announced Monday, May 19, that he will retire effective June 30th. The school system will not, however, be without a superintendent on July 1st because the Board of Education is slated to pick a replacement Wednesday, May 27th at 6:00 p.m.

Hudson’s retirement announcement comes after 10 years of heading Putnam’s schools. He was voted to become Putnam’s superintendent in a unanimous vote by the Board of Education on May 26, 2016. During his tenure as superintendent, Putnam County voters have approved a pair of excess levies and a $50 million bond for the construction of a new Hurricane Middle School and improvements to outdoor athletic facilities. Hudson was also successful in securing $30 million from the West Virginia School Building Authority for much needed school projects. Putnam County Schools has been among the highest achieving school district in the state during the entirety of Hudson’s ten years. Hudson served as school superintendent of Boone County for seven years and as a teacher and principal for twenty-five years before coming to Putnam County.

Hudson said that he is looking forward to spending more time with his family which includes two daughters, sons-in-law and three grandchildren. “It has been an honor of a lifetime to serve Putnam County Schools. None of these accomplishments would have been possible without the support of our community and the tireless efforts of our board of education and staff. I am especially proud of our students, whose achievements continue to raise the bar for what is possible,” Hudson said.