Sequim Middle School principal Vince Riccobene has been moved into a co-principal role at Greywolf Elementary School alongside current Greywolf principal Donna Hudson for the 2019-2020 school year.

In an email sent to staff announcing the move on June 25, outgoing superintendent Gary Neal indicated that he was “excited” about the move. He also mentioned that the district anticipates the vacancy at the middle school being filled before staff return from their summer break.

Details of how exactly the district intends to have the co-principal situation at the elementary school work were not made available, and district officials declined to comment further on the change.

Riccobene declined to comment on the announcement.

The lead administrator at the middle school since 2014, Riccobene first joined the district in 2003 at principal at Helen Haller Elementary School. In July 2010, Riccobene became the director of instruction, and that position changed to his current role as executive director of teaching and learning.

The question of what would happen next with Riccobene has been a frequent topic of discussion in public comments at several school board meetings in recent months, with comments by teachers and parents both in support of and against the staffer. Riccobene was one of three middle school staff named in the 2018 federal lawsuit filed by August St. George against the district for discrimination and retaliation. That lawsuit was settled in March for $850,000.