Chester principal will leave for job in Roundup

Chester High School principal Bill Schlepp will take over as superintendent of Roundup Public Schools this summer.

Schlepp will replace Jay Erdie, who was appointed in February as deputy superintendent of the state Office of Public Instruction.

Schlepp said today he will take over for Erdie in July, and plans to leave Chester sometime in June.

"It's a great opportunity for professional growth," he said, and added that he will miss Chester, where he has worked for 22 years. "You develop roots," he said.

Schlepp was a teacher and athletic coach before becoming principal in 1987. His duties as superintendent will be different from those as principal, he said.

"I'll be more involved in budgeting and policy making," he said.

Schlepp will earn $60,000 a year, Erdie said.

Schlepp will be replaced by Pam Graff, who is the principal of Chester Elementary School. She will become responsible for all students grades K-12 in Chester, Schlepp said.