CHAMPAIGN -- Gary Lewis, regional superintendent for Champaign and Ford county schools, has announced his plans to retire.

"I've been in education for 28 years, and it just feels like it's time," he told The News-Gazette.

The Champaign County Board will vote to approve the appointment of Assistant Superintendent Jon Kelly as Lewis' successor at its 6:30 p.m. meeting Thursday.

According to the proposed resolution, Lewis' resignation is effective March 1. If appointed as regional superintendent, Kelly would start that same day and finish out the remainder of Lewis' term, which ends June 30, 2027.

Lewis was elected regional superintendent in 2018; he ran unopposed.