By Ethan Miller ‘23
Dr. Michael Smith, who has been principal at Conestoga Valley High School since 2020, announced his resignation from the position on Wednesday afternoon. Citing family and health concerns in an email to students, teachers, and parents, Smith revealed that he turned in his letter of resignation to the district recently and will leave his position as CVHS principal on June 30th, 2023, following the conclusion of the ‘22-‘23 school year.
Smith replaced Michael Thornton as head principal in October 2020, as the school attempted to resume in-person education during the COVID-19 pandemic. The stress of being thrown into the deep end right at the beginning of his tenure is one of Smith’s reasons for the resignation.
“Leading a school as a principal during a pandemic and subsequent years has been immensely challenging work,” Smith said in the mentioned email Wednesday. “The overwhelming nature of being a principal right now and my need to find a better work-life balance has made me choose to prioritize my family and health at this time.”
By finishing out the year, Dr. Smith will assist the school district in helping find his successor as the head of the high school administration. In his email, he thanked and praised the people with whom he has worked with over the past 3 school years.
“I have appreciated the opportunity to work for the Conestoga Valley School District and I wish the students, staff, and community the best as they move forward. CV is truly a special place!”
More information to come as this story develops.