WEST SPRINGFIELD – West Springfield Public Schools (WSPS) Superintendent Michael Richard has begun contract negotiations for the position of superintendent with the Lee–Tyringham School District in Berkshire County.

Richard, who has been superintendent in West Springfield since July 2014, said he is looking forward to “a smaller district where I can get back to my roots in education and where I can know all the students.”

WSPS has 4,113 students, with two early childhood schools, five elementary schools, one junior high school and a high school. The Lee–Tyringham district has an enrollment of just 703 students split between an elementary school and junior/senior high school.

Richard said he began looking for a new job opportunity in late October.

A schedule for departure has not yet been determined, though Richard said the job posting for the new position indicated they would like it to be filled as soon as possible. The district offered to enter contract negotiations on Jan. 22 after Richard interviewed for the position earlier that day.

 “I wish him the best of luck in his new district and believe they made a great choice for their students and staff,” said Mayor William Reichelt of Richard’s departure.

“What I am proud of here in West Springfield is that we have a solid structure to continue with curriculum and financially,” Richard told Reminder Publishing.

He continued, “My time here has been outstanding. The only regret I have, if you will, is leaving before the Coburn School project is complete, but that’s a few years.” The new school is scheduled to be completed in the fall of 2022.

Interim Superintendent Kevin McQuillan will be retiring this summer, putting the district in the position of filling the two top administrative roles.