Tom Opstad, superintendent of the Aberdeen School District, announced he intends to retire at the end of the school year.

Opstad, 62, informed the school board in a letter included in the information packet for the board meeting on Tuesday. It leads off the normally routine “Superintendent’s Report.”

“To end my educational career in this community is something I will cherish throughout my lifetime,” he stated. “I could not ask for a better way to move on to the next chapter of my life.”

He also offered to help the board choose his successor. Someone “who will lead the district well into the future,” he also wrote.

Opstad started as superintendent of the Aberdeen School District in July 2010. He had spent five years heading up the Port Townsend School District before he was chosen to lead Aberdeen School District.

Prior to that, his educational management experience was as assistant superintendent at the Lynden School District; principal of Meridian Middle School; and, assistant middle school principal of Lynden Middle School.

He earned his doctorate in educational leadership at the Washington State University and his master’s degree in educational administration in at Seattle University.

Opstad completed his bachelor’s degree in biology and chemistry at the University of Washington.

He was regional president of the Washington Adminisration of School Administrators from 2012-2014.

Opstad is from Edmonds, WA and graduated from Meadowdale High School.

He wasn’t available for comment on Monday afternoon, but his announcement is likely to be discussed at length during Tuesday’s meeting, according to district staff.

Attempts to reach Board President Sandra Bielski on Monday afternoon for a statement were also unsuccessful.