RICHMOND – Instead of the end of the school year – the traditional time for school district superintendents to leave their posts – Richmond School District Superintendent Greg Darling left Jan. 1 – a change from what had been planned. “Darling will be permitted early retirement from the Richmond R-XVI School District, effective Jan. 1, 2022,” Darling and the board stated jointly. “The Board of Education wants to thank Mr. Darling for his service and commitment to the Richmond R-XVI School District and appreciates all he has done for the district during his term as superintendent. Mr. Darling and the Board of Education both wish each other well in their future endeavors.” The statement does not give a reason for Darling’s abrupt departure. A week earlier, Darling had planned to finish the school year. Board President Jon Dana and Darling did not return calls regarding the reason for the sudden departure, when the board met to agree to the departure and whether Darling would be…