COON RAPIDS, Iowa (AP) — A schools superintendent in west-central Iowa says he is resigning in an effort to save his district money. Rich Stoffers, superintendent for the Coon Rapids-Bayard Community School District, says he’s taken an early retirement package in order to save thousands of dollars for the district next year. He called the decision bittersweet.

The Daily Times Herald reports Stoffers says financial challenges have been mounting for the small district, which aims to cut about $400,000 from its general fund budget for the upcoming school year. Stoffers, who is also an elementary school principal, recommends that the district share the superintendent position with another administrator. School board president Joel Davis says he has contacted other superintendents about the option, but it’s too early in the process to comment further on it.