Olivia Toatley, principal at Hunters Woods Elementary School, says she will retire at the end of the 2011-12 school year.

Toatley told Hunters Woods families on Friday she has "very mixed emotions" about the decision.

"Because education is my passion, it is so hard to believe, that the end of this school year will mark the completion of my 40th year as an educator," she said in an email to school families. "I have been abundantly blessed to have spent the last fourteen years as part of the HWES community; first as a teacher, then as an assistant principal and now as the principal.

"I will forever keep close to my heart the many wonderful students, staff, events, and experiences we have shared. I am honored to have had the opportunity to watch HWES students grow and learn." 

Toatley says Hunters Woods Elementary School for the Arts and Sciences is "a very special place."

"It is a place where every student is unique and has a special ‘something’ that makes our school one of the BEST in the world," she said.

Fabio Zuluaga, Assistant Superintendent for Cluster 8, will lead the search for a new principal for the school. There will be a school community meeting in April to discuss the hiring process and to solicit your input.

Terraset Elementary principal Ellen Cury will also be retiring at the end of the school year.