The treasurer and chief financial officer for Dayton Public Schools will retire effective Oct. 31, ending a 10-year career with the district.

“It’s never an easy decision, and working for the school district, there’s never a ‘right time’ to retire, but in my heart, I know it’s the right one,” Stan Lucas said Tuesday evening in an announcement to the Dayton Board of Education.

Lucas has battled serious health issues for a number of years, and said he plans to spend more time with his wife, Claudia, his family and friends.

“I leave Dayton Public Schools with love and confidence, happy that I had the opportunity to help guide the district’s path,” he was quoted in a statement the district released late Tuesday night.

Lucas joined the district in 2002. Before joining the district, he served as accounting director with Cincinnati Public Schools and held numerous private-sector positions in finance.

Lucas also has served on several local boards, including Girl Scouts of Buckeye Trails and the Dayton Philharmonic.

He is a member of the Dayton Rotary as well as the Ohio School Board Association and Association of School Business Officials International.

The school board will determine a process to pick the next treasurer and chief financial officer.