By ARCHIE MOUNTAIN
NEWPORT — The Newport School Board accepted the resignation of Superintendent of Schools Dr. Cindy Gallagher when it met at noon on Sunday for a scheduled retreat.
Dr. Gallagher submitted her resignation as Superintendent of SAU 43 (Newport) effective June 30.
Her letter of resignation was received on Thursday, March 28, by Linda Wadensten, chairman of the Newport School Board, and Rhonda Callum-King, vice chairman.
Gallagher’s resignation letter was shared with the other three board members at a scheduled retreat Sunday at noon in the SAU office at Towle School, according to Wadensten.
The other three board members are Virginia Irwin, clerk, Ann Spencer and newcomer Russell Medbery.
Following that meeting, Gallagher shared the announcement of her resignation in a communication to Newport School District staff personnel on Sunday night. It follows:
Earlier this month, I tendered my resignation to the Newport School Board. The Board accepted this today at their retreat. My last day will be June 30, 2019.
I had hoped to have this email beat the rumor mill, but I’ve come to realize that is not true. I’m sorry that some of you learned of this from someone other than me. The Board is releasing a press release tonight.
This year depleted me in a way that I’ve not experienced in over 25 years in education. This was such a new feeling that it caused me to really pause and wonder. I have walked miles and miles listening to God’s messages. I really thought I would retire from Newport.
Unfortunately, a superintendent’s role in New Hampshire requires one to spend too much time away from students. For example in eight hours of state wide superintendent meetings last week we talked about student achievement for only 10 minutes–everything else was something else.
By comparison, I had reason to be in the NMHS a couple hours this past week and I was jazzed. I miss that feeling. I was jazzed when I joined the district 12 years ago and it was good to feel that way again this past week. It assures me I made the right decision. My gift is working with students. I’m eager to return to that as a career
I’ve explained to the Board that I will be searching in public schools and higher education for jobs that let me have more direct contact with students. While it is a giant leap of faith as I do not yet have a new position, I believe the District should have as much time as possible to find its next leader. I look forward to helping us find this person together.
I have so many thank yous and hugs to deliver to so many different members of our community who have made this be an awesome 12 years. I will be around to do that over these next few months.
Together with the Board, we will pick a new leader for the District who will take us to the next level.
“The board really wished Dr. Gallagher well in her future endeavors,” Wadensten said.
“She was very kind and gracious to help us in any way. She is going out as a champion, helping us to move forward, Wadensten added.
Dr. Gallagher’s resignation was made public in the following press release:
Next fall, Newport students will start their school year with a new leader at the helm.
Dr. Cindy Gallagher, Superintendent of the Newport SAU 43 since 2015 and employee of Newport since 2007, has informed the Board that her last day as Newport Superintendent will be the final day of the current school year, June 30, 2019
In her letter to the Board, Dr Gallagher stated, “This year completes my 12th year in the district. I intend to pursue jobs in public schools and higher education that will allow me to have greater opportunities to work directly with students.”
“Besides caring deeply for students, Dr. Gallagher has been a diligent advocate for developing business partnerships for our school as well as leading the transformation of our schools toward a competency-based model,” Wadensten said.
“Under Dr. Gallagher’s leadership, Newport Schools were pleased to be chosen to be part of the second year of the New Hampshire Department of Education’s
PACE initiative,” Wadensten added.
“We will immediately begin our search for a Superintendent who will continue working toward these Board goals.
“The Newport School Board is grateful for her years of service in our community and wishes her well in her new endeavors.”
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