West Bloomfield Schools Superintendent Andrees to Retire

JoAnn Andrees announced Saturday she will retire as superintendent of the at the end of the school year. it was announced Saturday afternoon in a news release sent via email to district families.

Andrees, who will retire after 21 years in the district, including the past four as superintendent, made the announcement is a "Letter to the community" that came via email.

Her retirement is effective June 30.

The school district will engage a search firm to find candidates to replace Andrees, according to a news release from the district that accompanied Andrees' letter.

Andrees has worked at the district since 1989, in various capacities: as principal at ; counselor, assistant principal and principal at ; and as assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction for the district.

Andrees spent 2 1/2 years from Sept. 2005–June of 2008 as superintendent for the West Haven, CT, school district. In 2008, she returned to West Bloomfield as superintendent.

She said in her letter: "It is difficult to say goodbye to a most professional staff and our caring families and children. However, I am at the point in my career that I feel it is time to make that transition into retirement.

"I consider myself so very fortunate to have served the WBSD school district and community. I leave with a sadness as I will miss so many wonderful people and particularly the children in this community."