PORT ORCHARD — Hidden Creek Elementary principal Laura Smith will be leaving at the end of the school year after 10 years at the helm.

Smith and Karst Brandsma, South Kitsap School District superintendent, met with staff members at the school March 30 to announce the principal’s departure.

“Mrs. Smith will be dearly missed in the South Kitsap School District,” Brandsma said.

“Her work over the years in the implementation of Kids at Hope within Hidden Creek has developed a culture of inspiration, hard work and kindness,” Brandsma said.

“Her leadership was also instrumental in the school earning International Baccalaureate World School authorization. Mrs. Smith is highly respected by her colleagues and staff and adored by students. We hate to see her go.”

The district said in a news release that it has begun a search for Smith’s replacement.