Photo Caption: Robert Rice will retire as the principal of Schlarman Academy in Danville at the end of the current school year.

DANVILLE — Saying the decision was a difficult one, Robert Rice will retire as the principal of Schlarman Academy in Danville at the end of the current school year. He made the announcement to the faculty, staff and pastors on April 2.

“After 43 years in the education field, I am really going to miss the interactions with staff, coaches, parents and students,” he said, adding that he feels “very blessed” to have had the opportunity to serve in the Catholic school system.

“Schlarman Academy truly is a family,” Rice said.

Holy Family School, St. Paul’s School and Schlarman High School, all in Danville, restructured to form Schlarman Academy during the 2011-12 school year. Rice has served as the principal at Schlarman for six years — first at the high school and then at the academy.

Prior to that he was involved in public school education for 35 years, including 25 years as a teacher, coach and administrator for the Georgetown-Ridge Farm School District. He also was an administrator in Danville District No. 118 for seven years.

Rice and his wife, Dianne, have two children who followed him into education. Chris Rice is the principal of East Park Elementary School in Danville and Kim Norton is the assistant principal of North Ridge Middle School in Danville.

“We will always be grateful for the tremendous contribution Mr. Rice made to Catholic education in Vermilion County,” said Father Gregory Nelson, pastor of St. Paul’s Parish and president of the Vermilion County Pastor’s Board.

“His presence, interest and leadership during the formation of Schlarman Academy has been especially important, and he can always be proud of his efforts to help us steer Catholic education toward that vitality we have always been aiming to foster,” Father Nelson said.