Sycamore Ridge’s founding principal Emily Morris resigns

By Karen Billing

Sycamore Ridge School Principal Emily Morris has made the decision to resign her position effective Aug. 5. Morris’ decision to leave came after “great thought and consideration” over her father’s critical health condition and her commitment to her family.

“I hope that my efforts as your principal will leave a legacy on the level of excellence at Sycamore. It is due to the fantastic efforts of our professional learning community and our collective belief in the adage that ‘It takes a village to raise a child’ that Sycamore has truly become a special place for learning,” Morris wrote in a letter to the school community. “Without the total effort and devotion of everyone I would not be able to say farewell to all of you with great pride in all that we have accomplished.”

Morris has been with the Del Mar Union School District for 19 of her 26 years in education and served the last eight years as principal of Sycamore Ridge, presiding over the school when it opened as a new district campus. Morris wrote that it felt like it was only yesterday that she was given the daunting responsibility of opening the new school and bringing staff, students and families together for the first time.

“From that first day on, I have loved every day,” Morris wrote.

Morris said that she will be involved in ensuring a positive start to the new school year on Aug. 26 and in a smooth transition for the new principal.

“I am confident in mind and heart. Our Stallion community will continue to thrive,” Morris wrote.

It is the hope that a new principal will be in place at Sycamore Ridge by the second week of school.“We’re in the process of finding the best candidate for our district and community,” said Jason Romero, assistant superintendent of human resources for the Del Mar Union School District.

The position has been posted and the application process closes on Aug. 16. A screening team will review all the candidates on Aug. 19 and a first round of interviews will be held later that week. A second round of interviews with the executive cabinet (the superintendent and all the assistant superintendents) will be held to narrow down and bring their top choice to submit to the school board at the Aug. 28 meeting.

Romero said they are still working on a plan to have someone in place as an acting principal for the first week of school.