Dows Lane Principal Resigns, School Now Without Administrators

Irvington's Dows Lane Elementary School is currently without administrators since Principal Renay Sadis announced her resignation Friday, June 30.  This year, the district cut the assistant principal's position to save on next year's budget, so without Sadis the school is without leadership.

Irvington Superintendent Kathleen Matusiak is in the process of hiring a retired administrator as an interim principal for next year, said District Clerk Elaine Cardea. "Filling the position has become her first priority," she said.

Sadis, who earlier expressed unhappiness with the district's decision to reduce her support, wrote in her letter of resignation that she had been hired to serve as principal in another school system.

Matusiak may be busy filling other positions this summer as well. Irvington Schools have offered four targeted retirement packages to tenured teachers who are still deciding whether to accept. Retirement packages are another cost-saving mechanism currently being offered by many local public schools looking to save funds.  

Although some parents have surmised Sadis' resignation came as a result of denial of tenure, Cardea said, "This is abolutely not true. She would have been up for tenure next year."

District officials would not say more about losing Sadis, but they are confident the position will be filled by the time schools open in September.