ROCHESTER — After 10 years of service to Rochester Memorial School, principal Derek Medeiros will leave the district, announced Old Rochester Regional School District Superintendent Mike Nelson on Tuesday, June 6. 

Medeiros has accepted a position at the Greater New Bedford Vocational School for the 2023-2024 school year. His last day at Rochester Memorial School is Friday, Aug. 18.

"For more than a decade Principal Medeiros has provided strong leadership from the principal's office at Rochester Memorial School," said Nelson. "Over the years, his focus on student data has helped lead the way for strong student outcomes. However, what I admire most about his leadership is his insistence on ensuring that school is a safe and welcoming environment for all students and families."

Medeiros has served as principal of Rochester Memorial since 2013, overseeing administration of the building and supporting students and educators Pre-K-6. He came to the school from the New Bedford Public Schools.

"Mr. Medeiros will be greatly missed at RMS. He is known for his weekly 'Medeiros Minutes' through which he provides important information for school families and the community and always encourages the students to take care of each other and our school," added School Committee Chairperson Sharon Hartley.

In the coming weeks, Nelson, in consultation with the Rochester School Committee, will determine how best to fill the principal position. Opportunities for community participation in the process will be shared as they become available.

"I would like to express my sincere thanks to the Rochester Memorial School community for their support over the past 10 years in my role serving the students and families as the principal at Rochester Memorial School," said Medeiros. "I know how fortunate I am for having worked in such an outstanding school district for so long and am proud of what we all built together in supporting the education of our children in Rochester. I will cherish all of the memories and I am incredibly proud of all we accomplished together as a staff. This is certainly a difficult decision for me as this community has been my home for the past 11 years but I do feel that this transition is in the best interest for me personally and professionally and most importantly in the best interest of my family."