Schools supt. Amalia Cudeiro announced last Thursday that she will be taking a leave of absence from the district to care for her mother, a stroke victim who has been battling cancer and will be entering hospice care.

Assistant supt. Eva Collins will be taking over for an undetermined length of time.

“This season brings some challenges for me and my family,” Cudeiro wrote in a letter to staff Dec. 15.

Cudeiro says she has a limited number of family members who can help with her mother, and the medical, legal, financial and emotional decisions that must be made.

“Many of you have gone through similar experiences and understand how difficult these experiences are … At this time, I must respond to her needs,” she wrote.

Cudeiro, as well as the Cabinet, will support Collins in her time as interim superintendent.

“The decision to take this leave has been a very difficult one for me because I am committed to the direction and the support of the outstanding work occurring in the district,” Cudeiro wrote.

Gabrielle Nomura can be reached at 425-453-4270.