Quite a run.
Prompted by an “underlying serious medical condition”, Rye Middle School Principal Ann Edwards announced her retirement Friday night. The retirement is effective this month.
Mr. Joseph DiGiovanni, the current RMS Assistant Principal, will serve as Interim Principal for the 2020-2021 school year and the district will launch a search for a new principal in January.
“It is with a heavy heart that I write this letter to you. I began work in the District in February 1998. I cannot believe how quickly the years have gone, but when I celebrated my birthday in July, I realized that I am 74 years old!,” Principal Edwards said in a letter to the community Friday.
“Although I love every minute working with the students, families, and my colleagues, these uncertain times have compelled me to submit my resignation based on my age and underlying serious medical condition. I know you will understand that for these reasons my family has begged me to retire. I know you will be in good hands under Mr. DiGiovanni and the teachers and administrators in the District. I wish you health and safety.”
Schools boss Eric Byrne also issued a community note Friday night lauding Edwards’ 22 years of service as Rye Middle School Principal.
The full note follows:
“Subject: Retirement Announcement of Dr. Ann Edwards, Principal, Rye Middle School
Dear Rye Middle School Community,
It is with appreciation for her many years of service that I share the news that Dr. Ann Edwards has decided to retire from her position as Principal of Rye Middle School, effective August 2020. Dr. Edwards has been Principal of Rye Middle School for twenty-two years. In her time as the leader of Rye Middle School, Dr. Edwards has overseen tremendous growth in school enrollment, the creation of the middle school team model, the introduction of a rich elective and exploratory program, and the hiring of nearly all of the school’s current faculty and staff.
Dr. Edwards has shepherded thousands of children and their families through the Middle School over two decades. While we know her Rye Middle School family and the community will miss her dearly, we fully support her decision and wish her all the best in her well-deserved retirement as she goes on to enjoy time with family and friends and to pursue personal goals.
The District will undertake a comprehensive search process to find Rye Middle School’s next Principal beginning in January 2021, with the goal of hiring a new Principal in the spring in order for him/her to join the District over the summer of 2021. In the meantime, Mr. Joseph DiGiovanni, the current RMS Assistant Principal, will serve as Interim Principal for the 2020-2021 school year. Mr. DiGiovanni has served as RMS’s Assistant Principal for the past six years, is an outstanding leader, knows the school and community well, and is fully prepared to lead the school at this time.
The Board of Education and I are deeply appreciative of Dr. Edwards’ service to the Rye community over the past twenty-two years. We wish her well in all her future endeavors.
Sincerely,
Dr. Eric Byrne
Superintendent of Schools”
