Thacher Elementary Principal Resigns

Parents of students at  received a surprise phone call Friday afternoon featuring a voice message from principal Elaine Sabra in which she announced her resignation.

Sabra states in the voice message that she has accepted a position as principal in the Somerset school district, which is closer to her home.

"[Superintendent] Dr. [Pia] Durkin will be brining over the next few days the steps she will be taking to hire a new principal for Thacher," Sabra says in the message. "She will be informing all of you as soon as she can. I will work with her to ensure that there is a smooth transition."

Sabra's resignation means a majority of Attleboro's public schools will have new principals when students return to class next fall. Five of the nine school heads, including Sabra, are either retiring or resigning at the end of the month.

The others who are leaving are  Jeffrey Newman (retired),  Jennella Porter (retired),  Reza Sarkarati (resigned) and  Catherine White (resigned).

Also this year, the district's director of teaching and learning excellence retired, the business manager resigned and the special education director quit.

There are items on the agenda for Monday's School Committee meeting regarding an interim special education director and a new Hyman Fine principal listed under the heading "Tentative: Awaiting More Information."