Jamestown Public Schools Superintendent Bret Apthorpe announced his decision to retire at a board meeting on Tuesday.

Apthorpe had previously informed board president Paul Abbott and vice president Patrick Slagle of the decision before making the announcement to the public.

“I’m sure there are some jaws dropping right now,” Abbott said. “Dr. Apthorpe had made Mr. Slagle and I aware of this a few weeks ago. As such, Mr. Slagle and I have already begun the work, the start of the process of for selecting our new superintendent. This did come as a shock to us and we weren’t expecting it but I understand. Brett and I have discussed it. I understand and support this decision, and I do want to thank you for giving us that notice.”

Apthorpe began working with the school district in 2017 and had his superintendent contract extended through 2023 in January of last year.

In a public statement, Apthorpe expressed a desire to focus on his family.

“I have shared with the board that I intend to retire on June 30 of this year,” Apthorpe said. “Not an easy thing to do, because for me this has been the best three years of a 33-year professional career – absolutely the best three years. When I first met the board a year ago, it was clear of their passion and love for this community, a community that I feel very strongly about.”

Apthorpe and Abbott both spoke of their commitment to work together to ensure a smooth transition as the board begins the search for a replacement.

“While I’ll be retiring June 30 I have expressed to the board that I’m not leaving town. I am willing, wanting and able to stay on and help in whatever way I can to make a smooth transition,” Apthorpe said.

Apthorpe began with the district in September 2017 and started initiatives while at Jamestown including: launching the JPS Success Academy which hosts Jamestown middle and high school students who may need extra help whether academically, socially or emotionally, creating a district-wide elementary summer reading program – JPS LEAP to develop literacy skills, prevent “summer slide” and provide enrichment opportunities for over 600 Jamestown students, re-aligning curriculum with college and local labor requirements and identifying long-term physical plant needs in the district.

“We wish Dr. Apthorpe was staying, however, we understand and support his decision,” said Jamestown Board of Education President Paul Abbott. “Dr. Apthorpe has made many improvements during his tenure and has also guided us through some challenging events. Knowing Dr. Apthorpe, I am confident he will be 100% committed to continuing to help us move closer to our goals as a district right up to his last day with us, and even beyond. Although this may not be the scenario any of us would have drawn up, we should all view this as an opportunity and an exciting time. It is an exciting time for Dr. Apthorpe as he moves into a new, hopefully more relaxed phase of his life, but it is also an exciting time and an opportunity for Jamestown Public Schools.”

Prior to becoming JPS Superintendent, Dr. Apthorpe was the superintendent of schools for the Frontier Central School District in Hamburg, NY from 2014 to 2017. Previously, Dr. Apthorpe was the assistant superintendent of curriculum & instruction at Fairport Central School District from 2007 to 2014. Dr. Apthorpe began his educational career at Southwestern Central School District in Lakewood, NY as a social studies teacher. He also taught high school social studies in the Honeoye Fall-Lima Central School District. In 2000, Dr. Apthorpe transitioned to building administration as the director of instructional technology at the Monroe #1 BOCES and senior high assistant principal in the Churchville-Chili Central School District.

A full story will appear in Wednesday’s edition of The Post-Journal.