Greenwich Schools superintendent announced Monday that Western Middle School principal Suzanne Coyne plans to leave the school at the end of the school year.
On Friday, Coyne wrote to the school community, that her decision was a difficult one, “because of all of the wonderful people I have met and worked with all these years, including my colleagues, families, and of course, our students who I have seen grow to be young adults right in front of my eyes. Western has been my home for the past 12 years and I will always think of Western as my home.”
Coyne said she had accepted a position as the middle school Special Education administrator in Ridgefield.
“This new role will provide me with a healthier home-work balance that my family and I need, while bringing me back to my roots in Special Education,” she wrote.
“What Western has achieved during my time here is something that brings me great pride. I am proud of the positive, collaborative relationships we have had with all of our families and the community we have built together. Thanks to our remarkable staff and the partnership with all of you, our students continue to grow academically, while also learning what it means to be positive members of the community. Our mission of putting students first is deeply embedded in our culture and I am confident it will continue moving forward,” she added.
Since 1997, Ms Coyne has worked at Greenwich Public Schools, holding multiple positions, including special education teacher and district special education instructional coach, but has called Western home since 2014 when then superintendent William McKersie appointed her assistant principal.
Coyne went on to be named interim principal before becoming the permanent principal. On Monday, Jones said Coyne will be greatly missed.
Students honored Western Middle School principal Suzanne Coyne on her birthday. Ms Coyne urged the students to spread kindness. May 29, 2025 Photo: Leslie Yager
Suzanne Coyne flanked by students participaing in a color throw just before the annual Sudell Sprint. May 29, 2025 Photo: Michael R DeLuca
Back in 2023, former longtime Western Middle School principal Gordon Beinstein announced he planned to retire at the end of the school year.
The following fall, Dr. PJ Wax took the helm following Beinstein’s retirement.
However, he resigned shortly after, and the school district appointed Ms Coyne as the new principal in April 2024.
On Monday, Dr. Jones said she would keep the Western Middle School community well informed of the process to find a new principal.
After an eight-year closure of fields, Western Middle School principal Suzanne Coyne and Greenwich Schools superintendent Dr. Toni Jones shared scissors at a ribbon cutting. Pictured with district Facilities director Dan Watson, and BOE members Laura Kostin and Sophie Koven. Dec 12, 2024 Photo: Leslie Yager
WMS principal Suzanne Coyne addressed 8th graders and elected officials at the ribbon cutting for the athletic fields at Western. “The Western community now has the fields they truly deserve,” Coyne said. Dec 12, 2024 Photo: Leslie Yager
See also: New Western Middle School Athletic Fields Open: “One of the best middle school fields in the state, if not the country” Dec 12, 2024