Superintendent quits over budget woes
NBC 10 News and turnto10.com have learned North Kingstown school superintendent Dr. Priscilla Feir resigned her position Thursday, blaming the growing fiscal crisis in education in North Kingstown and across the state.
Her resignation was delivered in an e-mail to members of the North Kingstown School Committee. Feir, through an assistant in her office, confirmed her resignation.
Feir sent a separate, more detailed e-mail to the faculty and staff of the School Department, which reads as follows:
Dear Faculty and Staff:
I would like to wish you a very restful and enjoyable summer! You deserve it! I also want to thank you for the positive impact you have had on our students in and out of the classroom. It is because of what you do day in and day out that North Kingstown’s students are so successful! My best to you for your continued success!
I want to let you that my year in North Kingstown has been a mixed blessing. I loved watching the students grow and learn and I enjoyed talking with you about your work with our students. Regretfully, the fiscal situation in North Kingstown and as I understand it, Rhode Island, is not what it used to be. Back in December when I realized there were no other options to balance next year’s budget without increased funding, I knew that I would be part of the dismantling of the exceptional and nationally recognized school department you are responsible for creating. We will all miss the faculty and staff who are not going to be returning in September because of those budget cuts. Unfortunately, I believe the fiscal situation will get worse before it gets better. However, I know of your resilience and I know that you will do all within your power to meet the needs of every student you meet.
And so, I have decided to resign my position of superintendent to pursue my options and to fulfill my need for professional involvement in addressing the needs of students. It has been my pleasure to work with you!
Sincerely
Priscilla
F. Renee Cockerill, a member of the North Kingstown School Committee, confirmed the Feir’s resignation, adding she was "very sad" to see her leave.
Feir was hired less than a year ago, in August 2007. She previously served as superintendent in the Perkiomen Valley School District in Collegeville, Pa.
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