RHINEBECK – The Rhinebeck Central School District is in search of a new principal for Chancellor Livingston Elementary School.

Former Principal Ed Sullivan has decided to leave the district to begin teaching at the collegiate level.

After five years at Chancellor Livingston, Sullivan has accepted a position as assistant professor at SUNY New Paltz’s Department of Educational Administration.

Superintendent Joe Phelan said the school board is looking for Sullivan’s permanent replacement to be “one step away from walking on water, with the right skill set to do a very challenging job very well.

“Besides possessing the proper certification in elementary administration and experience, the right person for the principal position will have knowledge about the curriculum, excellent organization and people skills, a love of children and education, and be a good match with Rhinebeck parents, staff, and students,” according to Phelan.

JoAnn Conlon, a retired principal of the Scott M. Ellis Elementary School in Greeneville, Greene County, will take the helm at Chancellor Livingston on an interim basis while a search committee continues the interviewing process.

Phelan said Conlon, chosen from a pool of four candidates, is “a very competent interim principal who is willing and able to hold the fort while we do a proper and successful search.”

Conlon is scheduled to work at a per diem rate of $460, from Aug. 20 through June 30, or until a new principal is appointed by the board of education, according to the district.

Conlon has also worked as a teacher of grades one through six, a remedial math teacher, resource room teacher and gifted and talented coordinator.

The school board has not yet set a specific pay range for the permanent position, but Phelan estimated the incoming principal would earn $90,000 to $100,000 annually.

“It depends on the person we feel is competent to do the job,” said Phelan.