Copeland to retire

Carbon County School District No. 2 (CCSD2) Superintendent Jim Copeland will retire effective June 30, 2022.

“It is with mixed feelings I submit my resignation,” wrote Copeland in a letter submitted during the October 18 meeting of the CCSD2 Board of Trustees. “I plan to retire after 45 years in public education - the last eight of which have been as superintendent of Carbon County School District No. 2. It has been such a blessing to me to be able to serve alongside a great Board, a wonderful administrative team and such outstanding teachers and support staff, students, parents and community members that we have in our District.”

Copeland first joined CCSD2 as the superintendent effective July 1, 2014 after the Board of Trustees held interviews with three finalists which included Copeland, former Saratoga Middle High School Principal Larry Uhling and Gerry Chase. Before becoming the superintendent for CCSD2, Copeland was the superintendent of Frenchman School District in Fleming, Colorado.

“Thank you so much for your support. It truly takes a team to be successful in public schools and I am absolutely fortunate to have such a great one,” Copeland wrote. “I am a true believer in public education - indeed a product of the public education system: the first in my generation on my dad’s side to complete a college degree. When I was a kid growing up—the son of a preacher and tire salesman and a stay at home mom—I could hardly have imagined my life and the opportunities that my public education would open up for me.

“Both of my parents grew up in the Great Depression in farming families in deep East Texas, but through their hard work and dedication, they provided my sisters and I with all we needed if not everything we wanted - most importantly a value system where faith, family, hard work, wholesome play and grace for others have provided me much happiness in life. I am very fortunate to have spent these last eight years in Carbon 2 - and will always treasure the memories, friendships and successes we have shared.”

In his letter, Copeland wrote his retirement will allow him more time to spend with his wife, Melissa, and the rest of his family which includes three sons, two daughters-in-law and three granddaughters.

The next meeting of the Carbon County School District No. 2 Board of Trustees will be at 4 p.m. on November 15 at Encampment K-12 School in Encampment.