Richardson Resigns Again, New Rochelle Looking For New Principal

NEW ROCHELLE, NY — The New Rochelle school district will be looking for a new principal for the high school. At a board of education meeting Tuesday the resignation of Principal Reginald Richardson, which was submitted earlier in the day, was accepted. Assistant Principal Joseph Starvaggi was named interim principal, and House II Principal Camille Edwards-Thomas was named interim assistant principal.

Richardson hadresigned to take a job with the New York City schools, but that job offer was rescinded.

He wrote a letter to the district asking that his resignation letter be rescinded, prompting the board to consider it at Tuesday’s meeting.

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However, Richardson submitted a second resignation letter dated Aug. 7 that said, “After much soul searching, prayer and discussions with my family, I have decided to step down as principal of New Rochelle High School and request that the board of education accept my resignation.”

He said he believes the students and staff deserve to start the school year free of distractions and focus solely on learning.

The board issued a statement thanking Richardson for his service.

“During his leadership, the high school significantly increased its engagement with community services to lend a helping hand to students in need of extra help and guidance,” the board’s statement said. “We wish him much success in his future endeavors.”

Richardson resigned July 20 to take a position in New York City as a director of school quality. The next day, a spokesman for the NYC Department of Education said the offer was rescinded after they became aware of unspecified information.

On July 26, Richardson asked for his job back with New Rochelle.

Richardson began with the district in 2013. During his tenure, a student was stabbed and killed, two others were knifed and an investigation into grade fixing was started.

The school district published an ad in the July 28 edition of the New York Times seeking applications for a new high school principal.

Photo credit: NRED.org.