Norwich – Samuel Huntington School Principal Siobhan O'Connor became the third Norwich public schools administrator to announce her departure at the end of this school year, citing a need to be closer to her family in the Hartford area.

O'Connor will become principal of the Highcrest School in Wethersfield July 1. O'Connor said Monday the sole motivation for the move was to be closer to her family, including two middle-school aged children, and avoid the long commute each day.

“I am truly thankful to have been able to lead Huntington and play my part in making it one of the most innovative and dynamic schools in Norwich,” O'Connor wrote in a letter sent home to parents Monday. “I’m so proud of all of the great work that has been done by our students and staff; culminating in being named a School of Distinction this year.”

O'Connor's departure announcement follows the announcement nearly a month ago that Stanton Network School Principal Billie Shea will become principal at Great Neck School in Waterford at the end of the school year.

Norwich Director of Student Services and Special Education Mary Donnelly also will retire this summer.

The departures are coming as Norwich is in the midst of a budget crisis, with the City Council recommending no increase in next year's school budget.  That would reflect a $2.3 million or 3 percent cut in the $77.7 million school budget recommended by City Manager John Salomone.

But O'Connor said the perennial budget fight and this year's pending cut did not play into her decision to leave Huntington.

“I love Norwich, I really do,” O'Connor said. “I never met a more hardworking bunch of people who make sure the kids have the absolute best despite circumstances. … making sure the education is the best and not using budget as an excuse.”

Superintendent Abby Dolliver said the budget issue, which likely will lead to teacher layoffs, larger classes and program cuts, has not dissuaded potential applicants for the positions.

Jamie Bender, current special education supervisor, recently was named new director of student services and special education starting July 1 at a salary of $136,122. Bender will oversee 1,323 Norwich identified with special education needs. She also will oversee the district's special education teachers, Norwich special education staff at Norwich Free Academy and nurses assigned to special education students, as well as student services staff and programs.

Bender has been a regular education and special education teacher in Norwich since September 1990. She started the grant-funded supervisor position this year.

Dolliver said the district received 39 applications for the Stanton School principal position, including two from within the Norwich district. The Huntington position was posted Monday.

The same applicant review process will be done to fill both principal positions, Dolliver said. A review committee comprising Dolliver, Curriculum Director Thomas Baird, Bender, two Board of Education members, a Norwich school administrator from outside central office, three staff from the school and one parent from that school.

The Stanton School panel will hold 20-minute interviews with each of 14 candidates and will make finalist recommendations to Dolliver for in-depth interviews planned for June 8. The Huntington School process will follow soon afterward.

Even with the pending budget cuts, Dolliver said both positions must be filled. As of the end of April, Huntington had 379 students and Stanton 338 students.

c.bessette@theday.com