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Heritage Elementary School Principal Michelle Sontag announced her retirement from Saline Area Schools the school’s news website.

Sontag, who came to Saline Area Schools two years ago, wrote that she was leaving her position due to family reasons.

“I have made the decision to retire and be with my family,” Sontag wrote.

In the letter she thanked people she came in contact with.

“It has been exciting, challenging and very rewarding. I have learned from your children and have always felt like this was my home away from home. You embraced the changes that took place at Heritage and were extremely appreciative,” Sontag wrote.

Heritage Elementary School educates students in grades four and five.

Sontag’s announcement means yet another principal position has opened in the district.

Friday morning district administration will announce either Laura Washington or Kevin Musson as the recommendation for the Pleasant Ridge Elementary School position, according to Superintendent Scot Graden. The Board of Education will likely formally approve the choice at Tuesday’s meeting

Graden said it’s possible the district could recommend one for the Pleasant Ridge post and have the other candidate visit with Heritage staff to see if the candidate is a good fit. A similar situation occurred last month when David Raft was named high school principal and fellow finalist Brad Bezeau met with middle school staff before being appointed there.

After a few years of stability, it’s been a whirlwind of change in the district’s leadership ranks since Dr. Julie Helber announced she was leaving her Saline High School principal’s position to become superintendent in Chelsea. Middle school Principal David Raft was selected as Helber’s replacement. Brad Bezeau, Pleasant Ridge Principal, took Raft’s spot at the middle school.

If Musson and Washington fill the principal vacancies at Heritage and Pleasant Ridge Elementary schools, the district might have more work to do. Musson is Director of Special Education and Washington is assistant principal at Saline Middle School.

Betty Rosen-Leacher, principal at Harvest Elementary School, is the district principal with the longest consecutive tenure at one building. She started at Harvest in 2009. Carol Melcher has been principal of the Saline Alternative High School since 2010. In 2011, Michelle Szczechowicz was hired as principal at Woodland Meadows Elementary School.

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