Regional School Unit 4 Superintendent Katy Grondin, second from left, listens March 4 to Jon Varney, director of operations, during a tour of the Libby Tozier School in Litchfield. Daryn Slover/Sun Journal

WALES — Regional School Unit 4 Superintendent Katy Grondin has announced she will retire when her three-year contract ends next year.

She was hired in June 2022.

A 1982 graduate of Edward Little High School in Auburn, she began her career in education as a second-grade teacher, then became the assistant principal and then principal at Sherwood Heights Elementary School, also in Auburn.

Grondin served a few years as assistant superintendent of Auburn schools before accepting the position of superintendent in 2011. She spent more than 30 years with the Auburn School Department, resigning in June 2020 at the end of her contract.

In July 2020, she took the position of assistant superintendent of Augusta schools before accepting the position with RSU 4.

Nicole Russell, chairperson of the RSU 4 board, said in an email statement Monday, “The RSU 4 Board of Directors thanks Katy for her dedication and commitment to our schools, community, and students. We wish her well in her retirement and some well-deserved relaxation.”

The district passed this year’s $22.63 million budget Nov. 5 on the fourth try. The vote was 2,450 to 2,246.

Russell’s statement acknowledged they have a lot of work ahead of them.

“As we proceed through the 2024-2025 school year, we have a lot of work ahead of us as it pertains to the budget, school consolidation discussions, and now a superintendent search. Katy is still very much actively involved in these endeavors, and we appreciate her experience and knowledge that she continues to provide.”