Newly hired Charlottesville High School Principal Aaron Bissonnette has resigned with little explanation six days before students were set to return to school and two days after teachers came back to their classrooms.
In a letter sent to parents Thursday, Bisonnette cited “personal matters that have arisen,” saying he would leave at the end of the day. “I regret to leave so soon after my arrival, and I appreciate your collective understanding in a time of need for me,” he wrote. “Perhaps after these matters are taken care of, I will be able to rejoin the Charlottesville City Schools in the future.”
Bissonnette was hired in June to replace Thomas Taylor, who left for a superintendent position with the Middlesex County Schools.
New city schools spokeswoman Beth Cheuk released a statement Thursday afternoon, but said the school would not comment further on Bissonnette’s departure. “We are disappointed with this unexpected change, and we wish Aaron the very best as he attends to personal matters,” it read. “We appreciate his brief but meaningful service to Charlottesville High School, and we would welcome his return to the division in the future.”
Jill Dahl, the current assistant principal at Charlottesville High School, will replace Bissonnette. Dahl has been an assistant principal in City schools since 2011, and before that, worked for nine years for the public school system in Hillsborough County, Florida, where she was a teacher and an AVID coordinator. She received her bachelor’s degree in education from the University of South Florida and a Master’s in educational leadership from Nova Southeastern University.
The full text of the letter to parents is below.
Dear CHS Families:
I’m writing today to inform you that, in order to tend to personal matters that have arisen, I must resign from my position as Principal at Charlottesville High School. I regret to leave so soon after my arrival, and I appreciate your collective understanding in a time of need for me. I will be leaving the school at the close of business today. Perhaps after these matters are taken care of, I will be able to rejoin the Charlottesville City Schools in the future.
I have appreciated the opportunity to serve you as well as the welcome and the support that the community has extended to me. CHS is an amazing place, and I am truly grateful for having been a part of this family.
I depart knowing that the school team is ready to support you and your students this year and that CHS will continue growing toward excellence.
We are very fortunate to have Mrs. Jill Dahl, currently Assistant Principal at CHS, who is excited and ready to take the helm. She has been an assistant principal in Charlottesville City Schools since 2011. I have worked with Jill, and she will do an outstanding job as Principal. Thanks in advance for your unwavering support for Jill and the administrative team. Through your cooperation and their efforts, students and staff will have another successful school year.
Gratefully Yours,
Aaron Bissonnette