ALDEN — Joe Guanella, superintendent of Alden-Conger School, will be stepping down this summer after eight years with the district.

“It’s not a matter of me not being happy,” Guanella said. “It just makes sense.”

Guanella said he likes to change jobs every 7 years or so, which he’s done since he was 18. He also doesn’t think he can afford to retire from the school but said he’ll probably never fully retire because he’s so active. He said he’s looking for another job in school administration or at a business, which he has 20 years of experience in.

“No doubt about it the No. 1 thing I’m going to miss is the kids,” Guanella said.

Guanella said he first thought his legacy would be leaving the school with high enrollment, sound buildings and good staff. He’s learned from students and staff in the past few weeks that he was more of a teacher than he ever thought. He said he’s always been a believer in helping people find ways to solve problems themselves instead of solving the problem for them.

Guanella made a recommendation to the district to change his position after he leaves, which he thinks will help keep the school successful. The school is currently searching for a superintendent who will work one day a week to handle financial and other administrative issues. The rest of the tasks superintendents do, including working with parents, students and planning, will be handled by a full-time principal.

“This will help the district in the long term,” Guanella said.

He said he wouldn’t be leaving the district if he weren’t sure it was stable. Guanella plans to stay in Alden, where he’s lived in some capacity since 1962.

“I don’t ever plan on not doing something,” Guanella said.

He said the school should have replacements hired in June and July.