EAST PROVIDENCE — The East Providence School District administration has signaled it will quickly attempt to fill the void being left in the principal’s position at Riverside Middle School with the upcoming departure of incumbent Rob Perry for a job as the city’s new Human Resources director.

Perry and Mayor Bob DaSilva announced his impending departure in a press release late Tuesday afternoon, Jan. 10. In it, it was noted Perry will remain in his role as RMS principal until January 30, then take on his new role with the city in early February.

Reached for comment, Superintendent of East Providence Schools Dr. Sandra Forand indicated the district would forego naming an interim principal, rather attempting to hire a new full-time employee in the roughly three-week window.

Forand’s full remarks on the situation were as follows: “We appreciate Dr. Perry's service to the students of East Providence. I have had the opportunity to work closely with him over the last eight years in an administrative capacity. He is a dedicated professional who cares deeply about the community, and he will be missed. The Riverside Middle School principal position has been posted on School Spring (education employment website). The district's plan to fill the vacancy immediately with a full time principal who can continue to move the school forward. We wish Dr. Perry the best in his new role with the city.”

Perry has for the last five terms been principal at RMS. He was previously a Latin teacher at East Providence High School among other positions within the district.