Jason Wade has replaced Leonard Santucci as chairman of the CedarBridge Academy board of governors.

Dr Santucci confirmed he resigned from the board on Tuesday, despite an invitation to remain from education minister Diallo Rabain.

Mr Wade, a former Whitney Institute teacher, will be backed up by new deputy chairman, the Reverend Emilygail Dill.

Dr Santucci told The Royal Gazette: “I have respectfully resigned so as to ensure that the new chairman is not impeded in any way in his leadership. I have every confidence in his ability.

“I am grateful to the previous government and the current government for the opportunity to serve the CedarBridge family and community.

“I was prepared after the General Election to do a handover. The minister was gracious and permitted me to continue to serve, and I am grateful for that privilege.

“I am also thankful for his benevolent gesture to invite me to remain on the board, but I believe that an incoming chairman should have both the freedom and flexibility to operate as he sees fit.”

Dr Santucci added: “I salute all of the members of the board for their sacrifice and the leadership of Kalmar Richards as principal, now acting commissioner of education, and Stuart Crockwell as the chief operations officer.

“I take my hat off to all the faculty and staff of CedarBridge because I have witnessed how they have gone above and beyond the call of duty.”

Dr Santucci pledged his support to Mr Wade and said he had told the new chairman he was willing to provide any assistance he could.

Dr Santucci, a former Bermuda College professor and United Bermuda Party senator, was appointed chairman at CedarBridge in 2015.

He joined the school board the year before under Nalton Brangman, Minister for Education in the former One Bermuda Alliance government.

Dr Santucci also held positions as a career guidance counsellor, admissions director and associate registrar at Bermuda College.

He will continue as a pastor at Vernon Temple AME Church and said he was looking forward to “embracing new opportunities to serve”.