Fox Lane Middle School Principal Judith Schuldenfrei's resignation letter. Note she informed Dennis she was leaving in May and the search begins this December.

Dear Fox Lane Middle School Families,

I write to inform you of a professional decision that has been the most difficult of my career. For many years, the notion of leaving Bedford never gained a moment's purchase in my thoughts. Yet, when I was too busy to notice, years passed, life changed and the time for decisions arrived more quickly than I expected.

Almost twenty years ago, I joined Fox Lane Middle School as an English teacher. Following that experience, I spent several years teaching at Bedford Hills Elementary School and then moved on to the role of principal of Mt. Kisco Elementary School. About 5 years ago, I was entrusted with the most interesting professional challenge of career--the leadership of Fox Lane Middle School. Each time I left a school in our district, I wondered if 1 would find the next school as warm and rewarding as the last. need not have worried. Although very different places, each school had an exciting, professional faculty, wonderful children and an abundance of challenges that inspired to develop new skills.

Being a principal requires an extraordinary level of commitment. This work, which I love, has inevitably resulted in my deferring other responsibilities and obligations that now need their fair share of attention. Last May I told Dr. Dennis of my intention to leave at the end of the 2002-03 school year. As it was late in the year, and not the optimal time to initiate a search for a new school leader, Dr. Dennis encouraged me to stay on for as long as possible. I agreed to return in the fall, with the understanding that would probably not be able to remain for the entire year.

This past Wednesday night, I announced to the school board my intention to resign for the purpose of retirement on February 1, 2004. Although I plan to scale back my schedule, I have agreed to return in the spring on a per diem basis to complete the supervision and evaluation responsibilities of middle school stall, participate in their tenure decisions, and help transition a new principal, once a permanent successor is selected. Dr. Dennis is already in the final stages of securing an interim middle school principal and will launch the selection process for a permanent principal in December.

I have been fortunate, indeed, to have had the chance to be part of this superb school district. Whatever I contributed has been more than matched by what I have gained. Ralph Waldo Emerson once said we should value that which insists we be the best we can. Bedford insisted and earned my love and gratitude in return. The person I have become at this time of my life has been shaped, in large part, by my experiences here.

Working in Bedford has been all I could have wished for as an educator and, although I am sad to contemplate leaving, I regret nothing about my time here.