MANCHESTER, Ohio | After 17 months as superintendent of Manchester Locals School District, Craig Hockenberry handed in notice of his resignation this week.

Effective Jan. 13, Lowell Howard of the South Central Educational Services Center, will be serving as interim superintendent, school official said.

Hockenberry is moving on to serve as superintendent of Three Rivers Local School District in Hamilton County.

He came on board as superintendent at MLSD in July 2013, following the retirement of long time superintendent Robert Ralstin.

“After much prayer, conversation, discussion with my wife, my family, friends, and close advisors I have accepted, therefore I will be resigning as your superintendent,” Hockenberry said in his resignation letter. “My time in Adams County brought me much joy, improved health, and introduced me to some of the most highly trained and highly skilled educators in the entire region. I have cherished every moment that I got to learn from each of you. My respect and admiration for this region is beyond words. I’m a better person because of you, and I am forever thankful.”

Hockenberry has ties to the Cincinnati area reaching into his college years and was formerly employment by the Cincinnati Public Schools.

He came to Manchester after a career, including teaching, being assistant principal of Oyler School in Lower Price Hill and in 2001 he was named the principal of Oyler.

Southern Ohio Educational Service Center has been contracted by MLSD to conduct a superintendent search.