UPDATE: Stamford School Superintendent Winifred Hamilton Announces She Will Retire

Update: 9:35 p.m. May 26:

Embattled Stamford School Superintendent Winifred Hamilton has tendered her resignation, effective Jan. 1, 2016.

Hamilton’s administration has been under fire since the revelation nearly a year ago that a firer Stamford High School english teacher carried on an affair with an underaged student — a situation that went unreported to state authorities as required by law. Since then, the teacher, Danielle Watkins has been convicted of sexual assault and is serving a five-year prison sentence and two high school administrators have received a special form of probation following their arrest for failing to contact authorities.

The administrators — Principal Donna Valentine and Assistnat Principal Roth Nordin have been fired. Another assistant principal Angela Thomas-Graves is facing termination proceedings and Assistant Superintendent Michael Fernandes has resigned.

In a statement released Tuesday night, Hamilton said:

The violation of public trust created by the abuse of a student at Stamford High school, and all of the events that have followed, have led to the diminished trust and perception of Stamford Public Schools by our community and has distracted attention away from our primary focus of preparing students for higher education and success. As superintendent, the day-to-day focus should be on students: ensuring effective leadership is in place; continuing to close the achievement gap; managing a $3 million budget cut; trying not to reduce our teaching staff; and planning for our increased enrollment challenges, as well as building a new school. Instead, over the past several months attention has been interrupted and shared the focus. Because I believe the children of Stamford deserve undivided attention, I am announcing my retirement, effective January 1, 2016.

This timeframe should allow the Board sufficient time to conduct the comprehensive search this district needs to be sure Stamford gets the best Superintendent for our students and allows for a proper transition. I remain committed to ensuring the work of this district continues to move forward while that search and transition takes place.

Hamilton was appointed superintendent in July 2012. She previously served as Acting Superintendent, Deputy Superintendent, and Assistant Superintendent for Secondary Education. At the secondary school level, Hamilton has served as assistant principal and principal of Dolan Middle School, as well as assistant principal at the Rippowam Cluster High School and Rippowam Magnet Middle School.

Hamilton also spent many years on the staffs of Dolan Middle School and Westhill High School, where she was a physical education/health teacher and a staff developer.

Related stories:

• Report: Stamford Public Administration Failed in High School Teacher Sex Case

• Jail Time for Ex-Stamford HS Teacher in Student Sex Case
• City Opens Investigation into Stamford High School Teacher Sex Scandal
• Stamford HS Administrators Seek Special Probation Program
• Stamford HS Administrators Plead Not Guilty
• Stamford Teacher Is Accused of Sexual Assault of Student
• Prosecutors May Seek Plea Deal in Stamford HS Teacher Sex Assault Case
• Stamford High Administrators Receive Probation
• Stamford Teacher’s Plea Deal Offer Includes Jail Time

Original story: 8:25 p.m. May 26

Stamford Schools Superintendent Winifred Hamilton announced late Tuesday that she is retiring in the wake of the sex scandal that has plagued Stamford High School.

Here is part of her statement she released Thursday night:

The violation of public trust created by the abuse of a student at Stamford High school, and all of the events that have followed, have led to the diminished trust and perception of Stamford Public Schools by our community and has distracted attention away from our primary focus of preparing students for higher education and success. As superintendent, the day-to-day focus should be on students: ensuring effective leadership is in place; continuing to close the achievement gap; managing a $3 million budget cut; trying not to reduce our teaching staff; and planning for our increased enrollment challenges, as well as building a new school. Instead, over the past several months attention has been interrupted and shared the focus. Because I believe the children of Stamford deserve undivided attention, I am announcing my retirement, effective January 1, 2016.

Check back for updates on this breaking news story.

PHOTO: Winifred Hamilton. CREDIT: www.stamfordpublicschools.org