After less than one year in her position as Ravena-Coeymans-Selkirk Central School District superintendent, Elisabeth Smith has opted to retire.
Smith has been with the district since 2003, when she was hired as principal of Pieter B. Coeymans Elementary School, after being a longtime teacher in the Bethlehem Central School District. She was appointed interim superintendent in August of 2011, before being named superintendent in December.
“The decision to retire is always a difficult one, but I wanted to do new things with my career,” she said.
Her decision to retire was announced at the district’s Tuesday, Aug. 21, Board of Education meeting. She will remain in her position until Nov. 20, but has said she would stay on for a little while longer if necessary.
Smith said her decision to leave had nothing to do with the recent tumultuous events within the district.
“I think my decision was more that I feel ready at this point to make a career change using my knowledge and experience from working within the district,” Smith said.
In recent months, Board of Education Chairman John Vadney was arrested for a misdemeanor charge of aggravated harassment over an argument with the father of a fellow school board member, while another school board member declared himself a sovereign citizen and refused to pay his taxes. The Vadney family has also filed a lawsuit against the district and several staff members over an incident in which their son was bullied, while the state Education Department is reviewing allegations of voter fraud occurring during the May budget vote. The vote was also the first time in three years the budget was passed on the first attempt.
Smith does not have a job lined up, but said she would look for a consultant position in school district improvement. She will continue to live within the area.
Vadney praised Smith’s work and said she would be greatly missed.
“She is a wonderful person to work with. Very dedicated,” he said. “Where ever she goes we will always be proud of her. Personally, I’m very sorry she is leaving but I understand life takes people down different paths.”
Vadney declined to discuss his recent arrest or the family’s lawsuit.
Smith said she was happy the district was able to pass the 2012-13 budget, with a 6.8 percent tax levy, in such difficult times. She is also proud of what the faculty and staff have been doing to change student learning objectives across all grade levels.
“Having been a part of the school district, I was excited about the opportunity to serve and see a lot of the initiatives we started come to fruition,” she said. “As a superintendent, there are always challenges. Some are expected and some are not, but it has been a rewarding experience.”
She said it was an honor and a privilege to be a part of the RCS community.
District officials have still not heard anything from the state regarding an investigation into voter fraud, but have been given the right to implement the budget, assuming it will stand as is.
“I personally believe although there could have been some irregularities, it does not impact the vote with how it passed in any way. The budget passed with a strong majority of votes and that says a lot about our community’s stance on the value of education,” said Smith.
The district will now begin the search for another superintendent, but an interim superintendent will be appointed soon.
“The education of our students will remain our priority as the district prepares for this change in leadership,” said Smith in a statement. “I will remain committed to realizing our mission throughout the transition.”