Five years after joining the Portsmouth School District as superintendent, Ana Riley is taking on a new position with the Rhode Island Department of Education this coming January.

“I have truly enjoyed my time here in Portsmouth. We have accomplished much and I know you will continue your hard work to provide the students of Portsmouth with rigorous opportunities for success,” Ms. Riley wrote in an email to teachers Thursday afternoon.

Beginning mid-January, Ms. Riley will start in her new role as deputy commissioner for instructional programs with RIDE. Until then, she wrote, she will continue to be “actively engaged” with the Portsmouth school district.

“It's certainly an honor for her and we wish her all the best as we all know that there are many challenges awaiting her attention there,” wrote school committee chairwoman Emily Copeland in an email to the Portsmouth Times. “The Portsmouth School Committee appreciates all the hard work and efforts of Superintendent Riley over the past five years.”

“The School Committee will obviously be looking to appoint a new Superintendent and planning for a smooth transition,” she continued.  

Ms. Riley did not immediately respond to a media request. 

The School Committee is scheduled to conduct a special meeting at 7 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 20, to discuss and vote on the appointment of a new superintendent.

The committee is also expected to vote on accepting Ms. Riley's resignation and waiving the required 90-day notice.

The meeting will be held at Portsmouth Town Hall.