A new principal will take over the running of CedarBridge Academy later this year.

The Royal Gazette has learned that the senior school's first and only principal Ernest Payette will be returning to his homeland in Canada this summer.

And a recommendation on his successor is expected to be made as early as next month.

September will mark the end of a three-year contract for Mr. Payette who took the school from the drawing board to the blackboard, or in modern terms, a whiteboard.

And yesterday chairman of CedarBridge's board of governors, Garry Madeiros, called Mr. Payette a "Godsend'' whose departure will be a loss to Bermuda.

"There's not enough words I can use to express our gratitude for what he has done for our community as a whole,'' Mr. Madeiros said.

Explaining that Mr. Payette had been offered a job by the Hastings County Board of Education -- the same board on which he served prior to coming to Bermuda, Mr. Madeiros confirmed the veteran educator will leave Bermuda at the end of his contract.

"This means that we will have to fill that (principal) position,'' he added.

"At this point we are looking very closely at Bermudians and we are evaluating the needs required for the position.

"I'm determining what the successful candidate will require as far as skill base, experience, and knowledge.'' CedarBridge deputy principal Kalmar Richards is understood to be favoured as a local candidate.

But Mr. Madeiros could not be drawn on this.

"Obviously we will be looking very closely at Bermudian candidates,'' he said. "However, this does not discount the option of looking overseas should we not be able to find a suitable local candidate.'' "There are one or two candidates who with support could fill the position,'' Mr. Madeiros added.

The issue is expected to be discussed at the board's next meeting later this month.

Once the board determines the direction of the school, Mr. Madeiros said, a recommendation for the principal post will be submitted to the Education Ministry.

If the Ministry supports the board's recommendation it will be forwarded to the Public Service Commission.

"Hopefully we're going to fast-track it,'' Mr. Madeiros said. "My expectation is to have quick attention given to our needs so that a decision can be made so that we can provide all the nurturing and training for the local chosen or, if overseas, have that person in place by September.'' Choosing the right person is paramount for the future of CedarBridge and Bermuda, he stressed.

"We would not have been able to open that school last September if it were not for Mr. Payette,'' Mr. Madeiros said.

"His knowledge and experience was vital for us not only to ensure the facility had what was required, but the structure and administration process in place to begin teaching.

"In addition to his contributions, his knowledge base of the comprehensive system was a driving force to everybody understanding their responsibilities,'' he said.

"He has been a Godsend to this community and our ability to have CedarBridge formed in our community as it is today.'' Mr. Payette -- who has been away from his office this week due to illness -- was not available for comment yesterday.

Ernest Payette: Leaving Graphic file name: ERNIE