Farid Johnson resigned as Siwanoy Elementary School principal. (Pelham Examiner file photo)

Farid Johnson, who became principal of Siwanoy Elementary School in 2020 and was named New York State Elementary Principal of the Year in 2024, has resigned following a three-month leave of absence.  His departure brings an end to what had been a promising tenure at Siwanoy.

Board of Education president Jackie De Angelis announced Johnson’s resignation at the start of the board’s final meeting of the school year last night.  “One important item to note is the resignation of Farid Johnson as principal of Siwanoy school, for personal reasons,” she said.  “We are initiating a search for a new principal for Siwanoy School, and extend our sincere thanks to Susan Kramer-Gilbert for agreeing to continue in the interim until someone is in place.” Kramer-Gilbert, who retired from the job in 2020, returned as interim principal in March when Johnson went on his leave of absence.

In an April email to Siwanoy families Superintendent Dr. Cheryl Champ acknowledged this was a “challenging time for the Siwanoy community.” Champ wrote that she was unable to provide details about the reason for or length of Johnson’s leave. “Out of respect for the privacy of all involved, we ask that you refrain from speculating about the nature of the absence,” wrote Champ. “As you speak with your children, we ask that you please underscore the importance of withholding judgment and not spreading rumors, which can be hurtful and damaging to others.”

In February, Johnson led tours of Siwanoy as part of the district’s effort to sell voters on the $42.6 million bond proposition that would fund an addition to the school.  Voters approved that bond proposition in May.

In March of 2024, Johnson was selected as the 2024 New York State Elementary Principal of the Year by the School Administrators Association of New York State. In granting him the honor, the association singled out Johnson’s creation of CultureFEST, a festival featuring food, entertainment, stories and traditions.