PORT ORCHARD — South Kitsap School District Superintendent Karst Brandsma will retire at the end of this school year, the district announced Friday.

Brandsma has been at the helm of the school district for three years. He replaced Dr. Michelle Reid, who left in 2016 to become superintendent of the Northshore School District in Bothell. Brandsma’s tenure began in a one-year interim role. The South Kitsap district’s board of directors extended his contract for an additional two years.

“It’s difficult to say goodbye as I feel there is unfinished business in South Kitsap and more that I’d like to accomplish,” Brandsma wrote in a message to staff members.

“The people of South Kitsap are special, and I’ve thoroughly enjoyed my time here over the past three years. Thank you for doing the world’s most important work in supporting the students in our community.

“It has been an honor to serve and lead this district and I am thankful for the opportunity.”

Brandsma’s planned departure is tempered by the failure to pass bond measures during his time here that would have funded construction of a second high school. A smaller levy measure passed in November, however, to provide funding for badly needed safety and technology upgrades at district schools.

Over the next several months, the board of directors will restart a comprehensive search process to replace Brandsma as South Kitsap’s new leader, the school district said in a news release. It hopes to have a new superintendent in place by July 1, 2019.

The board of directors worked with Northwest Leadership Associates to hire Brandsma and later began a replacement search last fall. The search was suspended when Brandsma’s contract was extended in January 2018 for a third consecutive year.

“Karst has led South Kitsap with integrity, strength and compassion, and we are better because of his leadership,” said board president Rebecca Diehl.

“His wealth of knowledge and professional expertise have kept our district moving forward in a positive direction,” she said. “South Kitsap School District is running well academically, financially and culturally. We thank Karst for his service and dedication to the students and staff in our community.”

Prior to becoming interim superintendent, Brandsma worked for several districts as interim or acting superintendent at Oak Harbor School District, Mount Baker School District and Everett Public Schools.

During his time with the Bellingham School District in 2010, Brandsma led an effort to pass a bond measure by 65 percent of the vote. He also was successful passing a bond measure in Anacortes by the same margin.