The Colonial Board of School Directors accepted the retirement notice of Superintendent Dr. MaryEllen Gorodetzer at its general meeting on the evening of Thursday, February 16th.

“I know I don’t need to tell anyone what Dr. Gorodetzer’s leadership and vision have meant to the Colonial School District for the past 19 years,” said Board President Susan L. Moore. “As a Principal, Director of Elementary Education, Assistant Superintendent and Superintendent, Dr. Gorodetzer has been an innovator in curriculum design, data-driven differentiated instruction and professional development.

“We are very sorry to see her leave,” Mrs. Moore continued. “At the same time we are happy for her and wish her all the best in the years to come.”

This past October, Dr. Gorodetzer’s received the 2016 Pennsylvania Association of School Administrators Award for Instructional Leadership. Under Dr. Gorodetzer’s leadership, the Colonial School District, its staff and its students have received many accolades – including high rankings in Newsweek, U.S. News & World Report and The Washington Post, as well as two National Blue Ribbon School awards from the United States Department of Education – and serve as models for excellence regionally and nationally.

Mrs. Moore added that the School Board will move quickly to find “a great candidate of the same high caliber as Dr. Gorodetzer.”

“It’s a decision made with mixed emotions,” Dr. Gorodetzer said. “The past 19 years at Colonial have been amazing. I’ve been fortunate to work with some outstanding educators and School Board members, and I’m proud of what we’ve been able to accomplish. I look forward to hearing about Colonial’s continued successes in the future.”

Dr. Gorodetzer will finish the school year and remain with the District through late August to help with the transition to the new superintendent.