Just as school security became a hot button issue in the wake of December’s mass shooting in Connecticut, the Cobb School Board learned that it would be losing the man who has been in charge of keeping schools here safe.

Jim Arrowood announced his plans in January to retire as director of public safety.

Arrowood will retire effective Feb. 28 after a 10-year career with Cobb Schools. He oversees four staff members and 42 officers in most of Cobb’s middle and high schools.

“This is something I’ve been thinking about for a little while,” he said Monday. “When I came to the school district, I promised I would stay at least 10 years if they’d keep me that long.”

The board will consider appointing Arrowood’s successor Wednesday.

Along with his 31 years working in law enforcement with Cobb County government, Arrowood has more than 40 years of experience in the public safety sector.

“It’s time to do something else, but it’s been quite a rewarding career, and I was fortunate to work for the county and school district,” he said. “It’s been extremely meaningful to me.”

Chris Ragsdale, Arrowood’s boss and the district’s deputy superintendent of operations, said Arrowood’s retirement is a “tremendous loss to the district.”

“With his vast experience and relationships throughout the county, he is a tremendous asset to the district,” he said.

Cobb Superintendent Michael Hinojosa said Arrowood has set up the system for future success.

He and Ragsdale said it’s important to find a great replacement for Arrowood, especially in light of the Sandy Hook Elementary School shootings in Connecticut in December.

“Not that this position wasn’t important before, but now it’s just a heightened sense of security that we need to be attentive to,” Ragsdale said. “More parents are expressing concerns. … The responsibility and accountability is going up for this department and in particular for this position.”

Since turning in his request for retirement, Hinojosa said they have interviewed some “outstanding” candidates to replace him.

“We are recommending a successor to the board this week,” he said.

In retirement, Arrowood said he would try and spend more time with his four grandchildren, riding his motorcycle and visiting Lake Hartwell.

“It’s time to do some other things with the grandkids while they are still young and like to do things with their granddad,” he said. “I also plan on enjoying my motorcycle, making some trips and going to the lake a good bit.”