CHARLO — Thom Peck will remain at the helm of Charlo schools after declining an offer to become the next superintendent for the Libby School District last week.

Peck, who currently serves as the superintendent and athletic director for the Charlo School District, was the favorite candidate of the Libby School Board as a potential successor to superintendent K.W. Maki.

Although Peck acknowledged that the transition to Libby would have been a big step professionally, he said that he is more than happy to stay in Charlo for the foreseeable future, citing bad timing for him and his family as a key factor in his decision.

“Family is the most important,” Peck said of his reasoning, noting that a kid in his care will be a senior in high school next year.

“It’s one of those things where it needed to be a family commitment.”

In addition to his immediate family, Peck also expressed a strong connection to the broader family he has cultivated throughout the Charlo community.

“I’m in a very good situation here. We have great kids, I love my staff. It’s kind of your second family,” said Peck.

“The kids and the people are great.”

Libby School Board officials identified Peck as their top choice in a vote last Monday and even made a visit to Charlo last Wednesday to conduct interviews with Peck’s colleagues as part of the vetting process.