Dr. Judith Lundsten, superintendent of Cranston Public Schools and a longtime educator in the city, will retire at the end of the current school year.

“I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of you for the unwavering support I have received over the past three years,” Lundsten wrote in a statement posted on the school district’s website. “It is with mixed feelings that I announce my impending retirement from the Cranston Public Schools, effective June 30, 2015.

“For over twenty-five years, I have been a part of the Cranston Public Schools family, and leaving will be difficult,” the statement continues. “However, I look forward to spending time with my friends and family, especially my grandchildren. As a school community, we have accomplished many great things together and we have persevered through many difficult times. Our students and staff make this district one of the best in Rhode Island. I am proud of all we have accomplished and confident that this success will continue.”

The School Committee was set to act on Lundsten’s retirement during its meeting Tuesday night. Chairwoman Janice Ruggieri said the superintendent’s departure was not unexpected.

“She was pretty clear during the whole process that she knew she had a three-year contract and she knew she would fulfill her three-year contract…She was pretty upfront about that,” Ruggieri said. “I totally understand and totally support her decision.”

Ruggieri said the committee will now proceed with a search for a new superintendent, following “the same process that we did when Superintendent [Dr. Peter] Nero left” in 2012. That process involved a national search, an interview process, public vetting of the hopefuls and three finalists, resulting in Lundsten’s promotion to the district’s top job.

Ruggieri spoke highly of Lundsten’s leadership.

“We’ve been able to continue that path of fiscal responsibility and maintaining communication...that was really helpful,” she said.

Lundsten began her career in Cranston by filling in temporarily for a teacher on maternity leave. Over the years, she served as a principal and as the executive director of educational programs and services.

In 2009 she became the district’s assistant superintendent. When Nero departed for a job in Connecticut in July 2012, Lundsten briefly served as interim superintendent before being unanimously selected to fill the role on a permanent basis.

“Never in my wildest dreams would I have dreamed I would be sitting here,” Lundsten told those present for the 2012 meeting at which she was chosen to be superintendent. “I can’t tell you how humbled I am by this.”