34°
NEW CANAAN, Conn. David Abbey, the New Canaan Schools superintendent for more than seven years, will retire from the district at the end of the 2011-12 school year.
Abbeys retirement was announced on Wednesday by Board of Education Chairman Nick Williams.
Williams said Abbey will be missed for his unsurpassed honesty and integrity, great intelligence, consummate people skills, thoughtful leadership, tremendous support for teachers, students and parents, and his wonderful sense of humor.
Abbey joined New Canaan Schools in 1987, serving as the special education director. He became the principal of New Canaan High School four years later and served there until 1997. After a five-year stint as assistant principal in Bedford, N.Y., he returned to New Canaan in July 2002 as assistant superintendent. He became acting superintendent a year later and became superintendent in January 2004.
During Abbeys tenure as superintendent, he has championed many programs, including all-day kindergarten, Chinese language studies, expansion of the visual and performing arts, foreign language in the elementary schools and expanded use of technology, Williams said.
Abbeys departure follows that of Tony Pavia, who left New Canaan High School's principal's post to take a similar job with Trinity Catholic High School, and former New Canaan High assistant principal Dawn Bartz, who is now the principal at Pleasantville High School in Pleasantville, N.Y.
Click here to follow Daily Voice New Canaan and receive free news updates.
