BURRILLVILLE – Burrillville Middle School Principal Kathryn Johnston Lord will resign effective Monday, June 30, making the school one of three in district set for a leadership change in the coming months.
Supt. Michael Sollitto announced the departure at the School Committee meeting on Tuesday, May 13, noting that advertising to find a replacement for the principal, who held the job for nine years, would be posted immediately.
“I just wanted to take a minute to thank her for her dedication and service over the years,” Sollitto said. “She will be greatly missed but we certainly wish her all the best, understanding that the time is right with family responsibilities and some other things.”
An East Greenwich resident, Lord received both her bachelor’s degree in elementary/special education and her master’s in education from Providence College. She was hired by the Burrillville School District n 2007 as a grade 5 teacher at Steere Farm Elementary School and was named assistant principal at Burrillville High School in 2012.
Lord took on the role as principal at the middle school in 2016.
She announced the news to BMS families in newsletter sent out on () May 19.
“For the past 17 years, it has been an incredible honor to be a Bronco as a teacher, assistant principal and principal. I have enjoyed the opportunity to serve our students, teachers, and the greater community—work that has brought deep meaning and purpose to my life,” noted Lord. “I am especially thankful for the support I have received throughout my time in the Burrillville School Department by my colleagues and teachers.”
“This decision was not an easy one, but it comes from a need to be closer to home and have greater flexibility to support my family,” Lord added. “While I am excited for what’s ahead, I will always look back on my time here with appreciation and pride.”
Sollitto noted that Lord instituted the policy of sending such weekly updates to parents several years ago, and that her message illustrates the type of open communication that is a testament to her leadership.
She is just one of two top educators from the Burrillville School District set to leave their roles at the end of the 2025 school year. District officials announced in February that Levy Elementary School Principal Monica Tomson will retire after 36 years in Burrillville. Callahan Elementary School Principal David Brissette will fill the vacancy left by Tomson’s resignation, and the search is now on for a leader to fill his office on Callahan School Street.
“There’s actually interviews being held as we speak over at the central office,” said Sollitto at the meeting last week, noting that eight candidates were set to be interviewed.
Sollitto wished Lord the best during the transition to spend more time with her young family.
“Her calm demeanor and advocacy for students will be difficult to replace and her departure from BMS represents a tremendous loss for the district,” Sollitto said. “On behalf of the Burrillville School Department, I would like to thank her for years many of service to our school community.”
