Rye High School is losing its two top administrators at the same time.
Principal Suzanne Short is stepping down less than three weeks after having been granted tenure, and only two and a half years after assuming the position.
The surprising news came in a Sunday night email from Schools Supt. Eric Byrne, who wrote that she is moving on to “pursue other professional opportunities.”
William Meyer, the assistant principal, is also leaving and is taking a post with the Eastchester school district as its assistant to the superintendent for K-12, Byrne said.
Short, appointed to the position in January of 2022, was one of two administrators granted tenure by the school district at the June 4 city Board of Education meeting. Her salary in 2023 was $223,375, according to SeeThroughNY.
She was hired as high school principal after an interim appointment following the 2020 departure of Patricia Taylor. She first came to Rye in 2002 as a high school teacher and took over as chairperson of the English Department in 2013. Short was appointed assistant principal the following year.
Byrne said the school district plans to conduct a full search “immediately” for Short’s replacement “with the intent” to have someone in place by the end of the summer.
The search will be led by Brian Alm, the district’s assistant superintendent for human resources and leadership, who will work alongside a committee of administrators, high school faculty, staff, students, and parents, according to Byrne.
“With the end of every school year comes change – for students and teachers alike – sometimes moving up and sometimes moving on,” Byrne said in a statement. “We thank Suzanne and Bill for their years of dedicated service to the students, families, faculty and staff of the RCSD: 22 years for Suzanne and three for Bill. We wish them both the very best in their future endeavors.”
Meyer, who spent three years as assistant principal, had a $171,422 salary in 2023, according to SeeThroughNY. His new position in Eastchester will boost his pay to $207,000, which is prorated, according to a source. He is expected to start his position in mid-July.
The new fiscal year begins on July 1.
Both high school administrators’ last day with Rye is scheduled for Sunday, June 30, according to a district spokesperson.
The district plans to appoint an interim assistant principal to replace Meyer over the next few weeks until a search is conducted for a permanent replacement, Byrne said.
“The district will share more information as it becomes available,” he added.
This article was updated on July 25 at 10:20 a.m.