Principal Dr. Marjorie Cuthbert Leaving Stoddert Elementary

Dr. Marjorie Cuthbert will leave her role as principal at Stoddert Elementary in Glover Park on Aug. 3. She has served as principal at the local elementary school since the 2009-2010 school year.

The PTA and DCPS will form a search committee promptly to find her replacement.

"I have deliberated about this decision for some time and will now resign to step up my role in our family," wrote Cuthbert in a resignation letter posted on the Stoddert.org website.

Her daughter died several years ago, leaving behind a family.

Cuthbert and her husband will help care for her grandsons in Wisconsin — she holds both undergraduate and master’s degrees from the University of Wisconsin–Madison.

The choice was not easy, she explained.

"I leave Stoddert with no small regret. It has been a pleasure and a privilege to work with such a devoted community."

Stoddert teacher (and Patch blogger) Steve Dingledine said Cuthbert's departure was a "surprise," but not a "shock."

"She cares deeply about her family and we were all aware of the situation in Wisconsin" he wrote in an email.

"Dr. Cuthbert brought order, predictability, and efficiency to Stoddert," wrote Dingledine.

He credited her for making a "major contribution to the effort to win 'autonomy' status for the school."

Cuthbert said the next steps involve a principal selection committee organized in part by DCPS Instructional Superintendent Jacqueline Gartrell.

"I hope many of you will get involved with this," Cuthbert wrote.

She plans to work through August, putting in place "as much as possible" for the upcoming year.

In a note on the website, the PTA promised to provide more information on the plans for interviewing and selecting a new principal.

Please, share your memories and well wishes for Dr. Cuthbert in the comments.