GREAT BEND — The Carthage Central School District Board of Education has approved the retirement of Assistant Superintendent of Business Michael G. Powers, effective Oct. 1.

Mr. Powers has worked for the district for 21 years and was the business manager in Watertown for six years prior to that.

He said he made his decision to retire "several months ago" and the controversy around the current financial situation in the district had no bearing on his decision.

"I told Mr. Peck and the superintendent about my decision even before we started building this budget," he said. John E. Peck is the school board president.

District Superintendent Carl H. Militello said at Monday's board meeting that Mr. Powers is "the best business manager in the state and his professionalism and commitment should be honored."

Mr. Militello said that after the 2008-09 budget is approved, board members will consider options for filling the position.

He said the board may choose to hire a business manager instead of an assistant superintendent. The business manager would not need state certification and the salary would be less.