Cherry Creek Schools superintendent Scott Siegfried will retire at the end of a school year that’s been “marked by tragedy and unimaginable challenges.”

Siegfried took over as superintendent of the fourth-largest district in Colorado in 2018 following the retirement of his predecessor Harry Bull. He had been serving as deputy superintendent.

Siegfried announced his retirement on Friday in a note written to families and staff members of the district. He said that after discussions with his loved ones during the holidays, he decided it was time to end his three decade career with the district.

“As we contemplated the right moves for our family – my wife, Laura, and our two graduating kids — I concluded that this is the time for me to retire,” Siegfried said in the announcement. 

“It has been an honor to serve the CCSD staff, students, and community over the last three decades.”

Siegfried noted the impact of COVID-19 in his announcement.

“I would be disingenuous if I didn’t say that the last year has had an impact on myself and on my family,” Siegfried said.

“I have always taught my own kids to do what they love, and they no longer find join’s in their job, to do something else … it is time for me to prioritize my family and to create the opportunity for someone else to bring their joy and passion to this role,” he wrote.

Siegfried joins fellow superintendents Susan Cordova of the Denver Public School District, Thomas Tucker of Douglas County School District and Jason Glass from the Jefferson County Public Schools in announcing their  retirements this school year. 

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The Cherry Creek School District’s Board of Education gave their thanks to Siegfried’s devotion to the children in the district during his tenure and said it is now in the process of developing a “fair and informed” process to select Siegfried’s successor. 

“We are grateful for Dr. Siegfried’s courageous leadership and tireless dedication during this pandemic,” members of the board of education said in a statement.

“While we wish that he could stay on in the role to continue leading our district, we also honor and respect his decision to prioritize his family and retire at the end of this school year.”