South End loses school principal

Published 3:01 pm Tuesday, March 6, 2012

Jamie Boyd, the principal at South Whidbey Elementary School, turned in her resignation this week.

The former special education teacher with the South Whidbey School District will finish the school year. Her work to unify the primary and intermediate schools and improve student learning was appreciated by district leaders.

“She’s been a fine administrator,” said District Superintendent Jo Moccia. “I wish her the best. I think she has a lot of good skills.”

Moccia received Boyd’s letter of resignation Monday. It signaled the end of almost 20 years with South Whidbey schools.

“She wants to pursue other opportunities,” Moccia said.

Boyd worked 14 years as a teacher with the school district, including seven in special education. Fred McCarthy, the former superintendent who retired last summer, hired Boyd in 2007 to replace her predecessor who was charged with first degree theft for allegedly stealing school funds. Her main task was to integrate the previously split primary and intermediate campuses into one school (Here is the OSPI Report Card for South Whidbey Elementary School).

Moccia will begin searching for a replacement soon. She said she is working on a plan to find the new elementary school principal, and will submit it to the school board after Boyd’s resignation is made official at the board meeting Wednesday. The superintendent’s hope was to have a new principal start July 1, one day after Boyd leaves.

“We will advertise widely,” Moccia said. “I’m putting together a plan for recruitment that includes staff and community.”

Calls to Boyd and the elementary school were not immediately returned.