Jack Copps, superintendent of Billings School District 2, told trustees on Monday night this school year would be his last with the district.

“I will not accept nor request another contract,” he said, speaking of when his current agreement expires next year.

At the board’s regular monthly meeting, Copps, 72, called the decision “difficult, perhaps the most difficult.” But, he added, it was “the proper decision for this district. The time is simply right to pass the baton.”

Board Chairman Malcolm Goodrich said he had encouraged Copps to give the board notice now so trustees could begin the process of finding a replacement.

Commenting on Copps’ decision to leave, Goodrich said, “I’m sure I speak for the entire board; we’re very sorry to hear that.”

He said performance evaluations for Copps “have been off the chart” and added “we owe a lot of our success to you.”

Goodrich said a special meeting will be scheduled later this week to begin “a sad process for us” of choosing a new superintendent.

Copps is a 49-year veteran of teaching and school administration in Montana. He was hired as SD2 superintendent in March 2006. Before that, he had been superintendent of schools in Helena.

“Serving Billings has been the highlight of my 49-year career in public education,” he said.

He shied away from calling his departure a retirement, saying that he still isn’t sure what he will do next. He said he and his wife plan to keep their residence in Billings.

Related

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• No applications yet for superintendent
• SD2 seeks input on superintendent search