After two years on the job, Abilene ISD Superintendent John Kuhn is leaving his position.
In a media release sent Monday, Kuhn explained his decision by detailing a heart attack he experienced Dec. 30.
“I suffered a serious heart attack — a ‘widowmaker,’ with 100% blockage of my left anterior descending (LAD) artery and 80% blockage of my circumflex,” he wrote. “Thankfully, I was at home at the time; my wife and children called 911 and acted quickly to treat me with aspirin.”
Paramedics arrived to stabilize him, and Kuhn was rushed to a nearby hospital where a medical team installed stents into his chest within an hour of the heart attack.
“This rapid intervention hopefully saved my heart muscle from more permanent damage than might have otherwise occurred,” Kuhn wrote. “I am profoundly grateful for the skill and professionalism that saved my life that day.”
The superintendent his expressed thanks and feels blessed to still be here for his family.
He wrote that he has begun to undergo cardiac rehabilitation and an aggressive change to diet and exercise habits.
“I share this not for sympathy, but to let you know that due to this event, I have made the difficult decision to step aside as Superintendent of Schools for Abilene ISD,” Kuhn wrote. “My last day as acting superintendent will be June 30, 2026.”
Kuhn began his tenure as AISD superintendent April 25, 2024, coming from Mineral Wells ISD where he served as superintendent. He stepped in for retiring Superintendent David Young.
In his release, Kuhn states he and the AISD board are preparing “a thoughtful transistion plan” to “ensure the momentum we’ve achieved together over the last year-plus isn’t lost or slowed.”
Kuhn went on to thank educators and staffers in the district and surrounding areas and expressed optimism about the future of AISD.
“I’ve seen incredible character and talent in our classrooms, at stock shows, on playing surfaces, on stages, in shops, and in labs,” he wrote. “Kids today are awesome. Don’t believe the people who say otherwise — they just don’t know enough kids.”
You can read his full letter to the community here.
This article originally appeared on Abilene Reporter-News: AISD superintendent John Kuhn stepping down for health reasons
Reporting by Ronald W. Erdrich, Abilene Reporter-News / Abilene Reporter-News
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
