WILTON – Sarah Edmunds, principal of the Wilton-Lyndeborough Cooperative Middle/High School for the past five years submitted her resignation on Oct. 27, effective on June 30, 2023.

In a letter to the school community, she wrote, “My five years at WLC have been a great privilege. I fell in love with the students, families, faculty and staff. Working with such dedicated educators has been extraordinary. This district is so fortunate to have staff who care so intensely and support student learning and emotional needs with the ferocity of a m other bear.

The families of this community are amazing advocates for all the students and a joy to spend time with. I cannot thank you enough for the support and kindness that you have all shown me these last five years.”

Edmunds was an advocate of community involvement, promoting school activities, and getting students interested in town affairs. For example, last spring art students painted murals around storm drains to call attention to preserving the river and joined the recent town-wide One Day of Service. She has tried to involve more town organizations in school life, such as the recent Lions Club penny sale and the upcoming Veterans’ Day observances on Nov. 10.

She wrote, “Since beginning work here, WLC students have been my greatest source of pride and joy. They have taught me more than any leadership class ever could. Their challenges and celebrations have kept me going through tough days and I can’t thank them enough for every day that I have spent with them.”

One of those challenges was the COVID shutdown, trying to keep students on their learning track while staying home. Catch-up programs have been instituted.

Edmunds was named assistant principal in August of 2018, replacing Susan Ballou and moved up to principal when Peter Weaver became Superintendent. She holds degrees from Plymouth State University including theater arts and education with a concentration in English and completed her doctorate at New England College in Henniker. She said then that theater was her love, and she has worked to restore the arts program at WL, including the Drama Club.

One of her goals, she said, “Is to have the arts section of the newspaper equal to the sports section.” She is still working on that.