Meriden — Kimball Union Academy is starting to search for a new headmaster.

The Meriden boarding school earlier this month announced that Head of School Mike Schafer is stepping down after 15 years at KUA. Schafer served as the 18th head of school in the 205-year-old school and led its bicentennial campaign, which raised nearly $50 million, the school said.

“The board wishes to formally recognize the accomplishments achieved by Mike in his 15 years as the Head of Kimball Union Academy and to express our sincere appreciation for the devoted efforts of both Mike and Gayle Schafer in transforming Kimball Union into the school we are today, leaving our beloved academy with an admirable and lasting legacy,” KUA board of trustees Chairman Rob Snow said in a news release.

Schafer’s three children have attended the school, and he said his family is “eternally grateful to our alumni, parents, trustees, and four outstanding board chairs under whom I have proudly served. In particular, we would like to thank the dedicated KUA faculty, staff, and the Academy’s life force, our students past and present.”

KUA said an interim head of school, yet to be selected, will be in charge for the next school year, with a search committee intending to select a permanent successor by July 2019.