At 5:15 p.m. Friday, June 24, 22 days after school let out for the summer, Idyllwild School Principal Nicole Picchiottino announced her retirement from the position in an email to school families.

“This is a heartfelt message from your principal, Mrs. Picchiottino. I wanted to personally inform you that due to recent events in my personal life, I have decided to retire from my position as principal of Idyllwild School.” She gave no details on the reasons.

Picchiottino had taught sixth grade at the school for three years before being hired to replace retiring Principal Matt Kraemer on July 1, 2021. She met her husband in kindergarten at Idyllwild School and always wanted to come back after her family moved to Hemet when she was in seventh grade.

At the time of her hiring last year, she said, “I was a principal before in Hemet. I was actually an administrator for seven years. I just thought, you know, it was the right time for me to come back. I am better prepared now than ever. I love the school. I love the community. I really am excited about the opportunity just to be here. I am super humbled that I have the opportunity, and so when it opened up, I thought, I am just going to go for it and see what happens. It all came to fruition in a really wonderful way.”

Hemet Unified School Board Trustee Vic Scavarda, representing Idyllwild, said, “I know that Mrs Picchiottino resigned and retired as of June 30. The board accepted her resignation.

“I am very grateful for the service Mrs. Picchiottino gave our community and the school district, and [on] behalf of the Board, I wish her a very happy retirement.”

In response as to who will replace her, he said, “I have no information on the process for her replacement.”