After 17 years at Furnace Woods Elementary School in Cortlandt Manor, Dr. Helene Kane is stepping down from her post as principal and retiring.
Kane's last day will be June 30, 2014. The Hendrick Hudson Board of Education is slated to accept her retirement notice at Wednesday's (Sept. 25) meeting.
"Our school has never been a one-woman show," Kane said in a letter posted on the district website. "We have developed many parent and teacher leaders in the time that I have been principal. We have made so much progress together. Elementary school is the basis of education and we have worked together to give our children an amazing foundation. Our kids have learned so much and go on to do excellent work as they move through our school district."
Superintendent Joseph Hochreiter will meet with staff and parents in November and December to "create the profile of the next principal"—that means discussing and prioritizing the characteristics staff and parents hope to see in Kane's successor.
"We’ll use these criteria to screen applicants against," he said. "This group will also brainstorm interview questions, which will likely take place sometime between February – March. We hope to have someone selected by May and have them join us July 1, 2014."
Kane says she will think of the school often in the future, but in the meantime is looking forward to enjoying her last year at Furnace Woods.
“She brought great stability and support to the staff, students and families of Furnace Woods," Hochreiter said. "In an era of great turnover in our field, her stability certainly eased the minds of children and parents so positive relationships could be built and sustained."
Click here to read Kane's letter.
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