Bates elementary school David Ieong, principal of Wellesley’s Bates Elementary School for the past 3 years, broke the news to parents/guardians today that he’s stepping down in June. Ieong joined the Wellesley school administration from a school in Sudbury.

Here’s the letter he sent:

Dear Bates community,

I would like to share some very important news with you today. I have made the very difficult decision to resign as principal of the Bates School at the end of the June. I have taken on an extraordinary family responsibility this year that requires a large measure of my time and effort. After a great deal of reflection, I have decided that I must be able to focus as much of my energy on my personal responsibilities as needed, and that I do not wish this to compromise my ability to attend to my professional responsibilities in any way. I am therefore, and very sadly, choosing to step away from my role as Bates principal to explore opportunites more befitting my current circumstance.

I make this change with a heavy, heavy heart. My three years as principal of the Bates School have been the most rewarding of my career. My time with the staff, parents and, of course, your magnificent children has been thoroughly enriching and will always number among the best of my memories. Please know that, as I look forward to the last months of school together with you, I will relish every opportunity to work together with the kids and adults of the Bates community.

You can expect communication from superintendent David Lussier about the process to appoint my successor and develop a transition plan. In the meantime, please feel welcome to reach out to me with any questions you may have. Thank you so much for reading this message, and I look forward to seeing you all here in the final months of the school year.

All my best,

David