As he approaches his final days as Montgomery County R-II superintendent, Dr. Tracy Bottoms got to reflect on his work in his five years with the district.

“I’m going to miss the conversations and the camaraderie with this board because they’re very good folks,” Bottoms said. “I think they’re very committed to the kids, the staff and community of Montgomery County.”

Bottoms’ last day as district leader will be June 30 as he plans to retire from the education field after 29 years. He said during his retirement, he plans to work as an advocate for education and will get to spend more time with his grandsons, Chance and Tate, who are students in the R-II School District.

“I’ve got a couple of part-time things lined up in education, not working for a school per se, but working with school districts in a couple of different capacities,” Bottoms said. “I’m excited about it. I’m still excited to get a chance to work with schools and try to make a difference in public education in the state of Missouri.”

Dr. Brian White will take over superintendent duties at R-II, effective July 1. He worked the last five years at the Meadow Heights R-II School District, which is located in the southeast portion of the state.

“I still have a lot to offer, but I feel like my time as superintendent has been served,” Bottoms said. “It’s time for a new voice and I’m OK with that. I’m OK to step aside and let someone else lead this district.”

Bottoms said he communicated with White several times. White and Bottoms attended area superintendent and state meetings together.

“He’s going to have some questions for me because maybe how I did things is maybe not how he did things (in his last district) and that’s fine,” Bottoms said. “We all do things differently. I’m here to help him anyway I can.”

Bottoms had worked the last four years leading the Monroe City School District before taking over superintendent duties at R-II on July 1, 2020. During Bottoms’ tenure at R-II, the district had many highlights, such as getting a no-tax increase bond issue passed and opening the A.C.H.I.E.V.E. alternative school and a daycare center at Montgomery City Elementary School.

“I hoped I at least made a difference for kids and some staff members along the way,” Bottoms said. “This job is tough because you’re not going to make everybody happy.”

Bottoms said the district is currently working on projects such as replacing the HVAC boiler at Montgomery County High School and renovating classrooms, flooring, ceiling and lighting at Jonesburg Elementary School. The district made $314,000 in investing earnings from the 2024 bond issue.

“I feel like we’re leaving the district in good shape,” Bottoms said. “Financially, we’re in good shape. The facilities are in good shape. There are a lot of good things going on in this district. There’s a lot to be proud of.”

The district threw a retirement party for Bottoms on May 21 at the Montgomery County Middle School cafeteria. Numerous faculty members as well as former and current students attended the event.

“I was talking with a buddy of mine who retired a year or two ago,” Bottoms said. “I asked, ‘When did it become real?’ He said, ‘When teachers go back to work and the kids go back to school, you’re going to get up thinking you’re going to put your shoes on and go back to work? You’re not. You’re not going back to work.’ It’s different and that’s when the realization sets in that you’re not in the game anymore.”

Bottoms grew up in Raleigh, N.C. before moving to Missouri in 1983. After graduating with a Bachelor’s degree in education at Northwest Missouri State University, Bottoms started his 29-year education career at the Paris R-II School District. He also worked as a superintendent at the Keytesville R-III School District for five years.