POUGHKEEPSIE – The Poughkeepsie City School District (PCSD) is actively seeking applicants to fill the principal position at the Poughkeepsie Middle School (PMS). Current principal KelleyAnn Royce-Giron is leaving the top post at PMS on April 15, 2023. “The process for appointing an interim principal has not been finalized and will be presented at a future BOE meeting,” PCSD Superintendent Dr. Eric Rosser told Mid-Hudson News.
“The posting for permanent principal is currently displayed on the district website,” Dr. Rosser added. Several other administrative employment opportunities in the district are also available and the full list and requirements can be found here.
Royce-Giron, a graduate of Poughkeepsie High School, had been employed in the New York City school system before being recruited to take the principal position at Poughkeepsie High School. Royce-Giron is leaving PMS to return to the New York City school system.
Principal Royce-Giron served as Poughkeepsie High School principal from 2020 through June 2022 when the PCSD, under court order, was required to reinstate Dr. Phee Simpson to the principal’s role. Dr. Simpson had served as principal at the high school until she was fired in 2019. After lengthy litigation, the court determined that Simpson had been wrongfully terminated and ordered the district to reinstate her, essentially forcing Royce-Giron out of a job.
The PCSD retained Royce-Giron, naming her “Principal on Special Assignment” in July 2022 before naming her PMS principal On September 1, 2022, Royce-Giron. The $145,000 per year position was to be probationary through February 17, 2024. In addition, Royce-Giron was eligible for a stipend of no more than $14,040 for participation in the Extended Learning Time program through June 23, 2023.
Royce-Giron submitted her resignation to the PCSD on March 13, 2023, according to PCSD Spokesperson Irwin Goldberg.
