The principal of eight years at Foothill Elementary School in Saratoga said leaving her position to pursue a new professional opportunity wasn't an easy decision to make.

"Eight years does seem like a long time, but it has flown by," Sullivan said.

A special send-off assembly was held Sept. 1, which included the release of two dozen white doves. Her students prepared poems and a song featuring lyrics about how Sullivan gave her students wings and taught them to fly, said Deme Scott, parent-teacher association co-president.

Sullivan's interim replacement, as of Sept. 1, is Mary Ellen Johnson, who retired last school year from a superintendent and principal position in the Loma Prieta Joint Union Elementary School District. Johnson comes to Foothill with more than 30 years of teaching and administrative experience in California public schools.

Saratoga Union School District Superintendent Lane Weiss said he's hoping to have a permanent replacement hired by no later than Nov. 1. Weiss will be holding meetings with Foothill parents and staff to collect input and involve them in finding the next leader of the school.

Sullivan is moving from Foothill to work as a team with her husband, Bayus, a financial planner at the brokerage firm of A.G. Edwards & Sons Inc. in downtown San Jose. The new position will offer flexibility in her schedule and the ability to learn a new business.

Sullivan is hoping her people skills in the education community will transition well into helping people meet their financial goals. However, Sullivan said she'll greatly miss daily interaction with the Foothill staff, parents and children.

"Parents have been incredibly gracious and kind in acknowledging they are going to miss me," Sullivan said.

The principal has watched her school undergo major remodeling, grow in size over the past eight years and increase in understanding cultural differences.

"The student and parent population reflect the diversity in Saratoga," Sullivan said. "It's been great to see children come to appreciate each other's backgrounds and heritage."

While she has brought many new programs to the school and been recognized for accomplishments such as mentoring teachers, Sullivan said there will be new challenges for whoever fills her shoes.

"You never finish with all the things you'd like to see happen," Sullivan said. "There's always new and different challenges you like to take on each year."

Foothill kindergarten teacher Cheri Barco was hired by Sullivan 4 ¹/2 years ago. Barco said the Foothill staff is both sad and shocked Sullivan is leaving. Barco explained Sullivan gave the staff members a great balance between the autonomy and administrative guidance they needed. She stressed Sullivan worked hard to create a caring, supportive atmosphere on the Foothill campus.

"She just has a real warmth and sensitivity. She cares deeply," Barco said. "Helen makes a point to know every child's name."

Allyson Hedricks, administrative assistant to the principal, also reiterated Sullivan's capabilities as an amazing leader offering a love for education and for her students, who once they leave Foothill still come back to visit regularly.

"It's been a privilege to work with her the last eight years," Hedricks said. "It's been a wonderful professional experience."