Easton-Redding-Region 9 School Superintendent Resigns

REDDING/EASTON, CT — Rydell Harrison is resigning from his position as superintendent of the Easton-Redding-Region 9 school district.

The move was announced in a press release by the district on social media Friday.

Harrison is ten-months into his first year in the job, and had just renewed his contract less than two weeks ago.

"Rather than continuing forward as the superintendent, I have decided to pursue opportunities outside of a traditional K-12 setting that will allow me to fully engage my passion for education and commitment to improving outcomes for all students without the heavy burdens of district administration," Harrison said in the release.

Jon Stinson, chair of the Easton Board of Education, cited the "immense challenges of the past year" while wishing Harrison "every success as he explores a new chapter in his career."

Harrison's brief stint with the district was notable for two social media moments. His music video produced to celebrate the district's first snow day became an instant viral YouTube sensation nationwide. More controversial was a post Harrison made to his personal Facebook account shortly after the Jan. 6 riot in Washington D.C. In it, the school administrator asked the community to "search your soul and ask if your words, your silence, actions or inactions helped in any way pave the way for Confederate flags to be waved in our nation’s capitol."

Todd Johnson, chair of the Region 9 Board of Education, thanked Harrison for his "leadership and unwavering focus on the students, teachers, administration and parents" throughout "an action-packed first year."