Roelle Resigns, to Step Down in February

Dr. Robert Roelle has resigned as superintendent of Katonah Lewisboro schools effective February 28, 2011.

The announcement at Thursday night's Board of Education meeting came as a surprise to the community members in attendance, though board members had previously received notification of his intent to resign. 

Roelle was hired as an interim superintendent of schools for one year beginning in June 2007, followed by a three-year contract period that ends in 2011. He was previously superintendent of schools of the Ossining school district for 15 years.

Board president Mike Gordon made the announcement and read aloud Roelle's resignation letter.

"It is with mixed feelings that I resign…I began this assignment in full recognition of the challenges that lie ahead,"Gordon read.

Roelle cited his inability to dedicate himself long-term as the main reason for leaving, which he felt was particularly important as the board will be developing a long-range plan for the district during the upcoming school year, to be adopted in early 2011.

"The district should be led by someone who can offer a long-term commitment, and I regrettably cannot," he stated in his letter.

Roelle also said that he was proud of the group of educational leaders who together made an "excellent board of education." He closed by saying that he had devoted himself fully to the job. "I love the work and I will miss the work," he stated.

Roelle was praised by board members for his service to the district, bringing together a divided board of education and assembling a professional team of administrators.

"I can't capture all you've done, but I will say that you have accomplished three key challenges to a degree none of us has imagined," said Gordon. "You set a tone of professionalism throughout district, solved the most pressing problems creatively—taking into account first and foremost the needs of our children--and you lay the groundwork for our long-range planning."

The board unanimously accepted his resignation, 4-0; board members Eve Hundt, Warren Schloat and Peter Treyz did not attend the meeting.

The board also passed a resolution to hire the New York City-based search firm School Leadership LLC, which conducted the search for Roelle, to begin the search process for a new head of schools.