Pembroke Principal Colette Ivey to Resign

  principal Colette Ivey is resigning at the end of this school year.

“As the principal of Pembroke, I have had the joy of serving our community for the past three years,” Ivey said Friday. “During this time I have come to love our school community and feel truly blessed to fulfill the important role of your principal on a daily basis. We have a very unique neighborhood school and I feel fortunate to be a part of the Pembroke family.”

Ivey said she’s stepping down to spend more time with her family, specifically her two-year-old son Nolan. She insisted that her decision has nothing to do with Pembroke or .

“Finding a balance between being a mom and fulfilling the role of principal has been challenging,” she said. “This has not been an easy decision and I recognize I am stepping away from an outstanding school and community.”

Ivey came to Pembroke in 2008 after 10 years in Livonia at Riley Upper Elementary and Hull Elementary as an elementary school teacher and principal. The Royal Oak resident said she was fortunate to join the team at Pembroke when she did.

“My experience here has been very rewarding,” she said. “This is a school district that puts students first. We work really hard academically to provide for our students’ needs. Plus the staff, students and community really are a warm, caring community that I’m really going to miss.”

Jon Dean, director of human relations, said the district is searching for Ivy’s replacement. An online survey has been sent to Pembroke families asking what parents and students want in their next principal.

Dean said responses will be shared with various interview committees. The job posting is set to close June 22. Applicants will be screened by Dean, other administrators and Pembroke teachers.

Full committee interviews are scheduled for June 30. An interview with superintendent David Larson is set for July 8. Their recommendation will be made to the school board by August 5 and a new principal will be in place in September.

Ivey said she’s not sure where she will go next -- whether back to teaching, administrative work or something else entirely. 

“Smiling faces and hugs are some of the main things I’m going to miss everyday,” she said. “I will certainly be coming back to visit.”