SMYRNA — The Smyrna School District announced Thursday that its superintendent, Patrik Williams, will be retiring Aug. 1 after a 37-year career in public education.

Mr. Williams, who has been in the role since 2017, previously served as the district’s assistant superintendent, the principal of Smyrna Middle School and the assistant principal of Smyrna High.

The announcement comes after Mr. Williams was placed on a leave of absence for undisclosed reasons after an emergency school board meeting April 30.

The district announced May 2 that it could not reveal why the move was necessary, citing employee privacy concerns.

SSD officials denied allegations that the leave was related to criminal activity.

Interim Superintendent Deborah Judy will remain in that role until a new superintendent is named.