After 13 years of serving as the director of transportation for Charlotte County Public Schools, Bill Mayhew said goodbye to colleagues and students recently — and controversy followed.

Mayhew would not discuss the reason for his departure, but he said he starts his new position as the director of transportation for Mecklenburg County Schools on Wednesday.

Mayhew’s last official day in his position was Tuesday.

Following the announcement of Mayhew’s departure, a photo of a banner with the words “Go back to Halifax Co. Nancy Leonard & Larry Rollins, Charlotte County don’t want you” began to circulate on Facebook.

Rollins, now CCPS transportation director, declined to comment on the subject of Mayhew leaving and the banner, and referred the Gazette to speaking with Leonard.

Leonard, who is superintendent of Charlotte County Schools, could not be reached for comment.

School employees said Mayhew will be missed.

“He knew each driver and their personalities,” said Linda Bowman, a county school bus driver. “There’s nothing he wouldn’t do for us. Yes, we’ve had our differences in the last 13 years, but we got through them like adults should. I will never forget the hard work and dedication this man has done for the drivers and Charlotte County Schools.”

Mayhew said that in his new position, there will be a total of 109 buses to manage. Charlotte County has about 50.

“I always like a challenge,” Mayhew said.

Mayhew said that he would miss all of his drivers in Charlotte and that they were all like family. During his time in Charlotte, Mayhew dedicated his life to the children of Charlotte County and their safety, former co-workers said.

“To sum up my feelings, it’s like a death in the family,” said Bowman. “We are losing our leader, and also more great personnel have decided to go with him. I really hope someone looks into what is really going on here because more will follow and it will be too late to fix.”

Mayhew said that he also wanted to wish all of the students, staff and bus drivers in Charlotte County the best of luck.

“I have nothing but good things to say about Bill,” former bus shop mechanic Larry Newcomb said. Newcomb worked for the division for 16 years.

However, he said that his last day with the school system was on Thursday.

“I’m done with it,” Newcomb said. Following his resignation, Newcomb said, “I love the teachers and the people there. I didn’t want to leave.”