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JESSICA O’DONOVAN being interviewed by Jim Benerofe on PEOPLE TO BE HEARD in 2013. Ms. O’Donovan, curriculum supertindent for the White Plains district has resigned effective December 31.

WPCNR SCHOOL DAYS. From the White Plains City School District. October 15, 2016.

Jessica O’Donovan, the Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction has tendered her resignation from her position effective in December.

Ms. O’Donovan told WPCNR she is leaving the Westchester area to relocate to North Carolina because her husband, an advertising executive, is accepting a new position in that state that she said presented a wonderful opportunity for him and their family.

Ms. O’Donovan leaves as the district is forming an English language learners reorganization to comply with the New York State Education Department requirement that the district must provide specialized instruction for such learners if they comprise more than 20% of a Class population.

Ms. O’Donovan has over the last 5-1/2 years organized and designed the White Plains district Dual Language program that is providing non-English Lanauage students with immersion in English while having half their lessons in Spanish, a program that the district touts as successful.

O’Donovan’s decision comes  within two weeks of  Howard W. Smith, formerly Superintendent of Schools of the Tarrytowns (a heavily latino school district) being hired through June to be Interim Superintendent while Superintendent of Schools Paul Fried is on leave due to an undisclosed condition.

The district has until January to comply with the State Rule 154 that requires specialized classes for English Language Learners.