Elmhurst District 205 Superintendent Lynn Krizic Has a New Job

The Portsmouth, R.I., School Department has hired former Elmhurst District 205 Superintendent Lynn Krizic as its new superintendent.

The School Committee in Portsmouth hired Krizic Tuesday, in what  a "surprise" move. The appointment of a superintendent was not listed on the meeting's agenda. 

Current Portsmouth Superintendent announced on Jan. 11 she would not seek renewal of her contract. A search committee was hired to find her replacement. The final three candidates were supposed to have been presented to the School Committee at the end of May, but when that actually happened is unclear, Portsmouth Patch Editor Sandy McGee said.

A unanimous vote to offer the job to Krizic took place last Wednesday, June 8, in an executive session. Krizic accepted the offer on Friday, June 10, and will begin work July 5, according to the article.

Krizic accepted a three-year contract at $145,000 per year, and she will receive a $2,000 moving allowance.

The Portsmouth School District is a kindergarten through 12th grade unit district like Elmhurst, but it has only four schools, according to the district's Web site: Hathaway Elementary, Melville Elementary, Portsmouth Middle School and Portsmouth High School.

According to the Rhode Island Department of Education, as of Oct. 1, 2009, 2,859 students were enrolled in Portsmouth schools, including approximately 1,127 students in grades K-5, 651 students in grades 6-8 and 1,029 students at the high school. Portsmouth has about 17,000 residents.

June 14 was supposed to be Krizic's last Elmhurst School Board meeting, however she did not attend because of a family emergency, School Board President Susan DeRonne said.

DeRonne recognized Krizic for her five years of service at the meeting.

Krizic’s fiscal management "(led) the district from early warning status to financial recognition," DeRonne said. "It is not necessary for me to embellish, explain or add to this list of accomplishments. Dr. Krizic’s accomplishments stand for themselves, and can be seen and felt in every area of our organization."

The District 205 School Board voted not to renew Krizic's contract last October. New Superintendent David Pruneau begins next month.