[UPDATE] CHS Principal Agreed in April to Resign

Update 12:45 p.m. June 21:

Former Cheshire High School Principal Kevin Ryan will remain employed by the school district for several more months, according to school officials.

Superintendent of Schools Greg Florio said Ryan will "continue special employment through September." His exact duties weren't discussed. Meanwhile, Ryan continues on personal leave which began around June 4. Florio said he has not met with Ryan since the former principal's leave began. 

A search for a replacement for Ryan move forward immediately, Florio said a news conference on Wednesday. "We will move very quickly. There is a process, we will schedule meetings with the Board of Educaiton," he added. 

Ryan was hired as an interim principal in July 2009 and was named permanently to the position about six months later.

Florio said he hopes a hiring decision will be made in a matter of weeks. One internal candidate is being considered, he said. In the meantime, Assistant Superintendent Scott Detrick will oversee the operations at the high school, which is on summer break until Aug. 27. 

Ryan's resignation is the second high-profile change at the high school in as many months. Head football coach Mark Ecke resigned in late May after being suspended by the school district on May 9.

Florio said the two resignations don't reflect on the school's reputation. "Two personnel issues came up at a similar period of time. There is no cloud over the school," he said.

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The process leading to the resignation of Cheshire High School Principal Kevin Ryan began months ago, officials said Wednesday at a news conference.

Superintendent of Schools Greg Florio said while Ryan agreed in April to resign, the process began about six months ago after the principal's attendance and inconsistency became an issue. "We couldn't plan the year end programs due to that," Florio said.

"In late April, we came to an agreement that he would resign at the end of the year," Florio said. "We had a professional and frank conversation." It was agreed the resignation announcement wouldn't be made until after graduation ceremonies were held, Florio said.

However, Ryan took a leave of absence from his job around June 4 and that action became public. Florio said he wouldn't comment on Ryan's medical status, which had been considered one reason the principal took a leave of absence.

Florio said he hopes to name a new principal in the next few weeks and he's looking at one internal candidate. The salary for the administrative union position is between $135,000 and $145,000, Florio said.