It almost feels like an understatement to say that North Attleboro School Superintendent Rick Smith, who last week told the school committee of his plans to retire next April 6 on his 58th birthday, will be missed, but he will be - sorely. He'll be missed within the school department, and he'll be missed by the town of North Attleboro and its residents.

Smith, who is in his ninth year as the town's school chief, was a breath of fresh air after a number of bumpy years for the school system under previous superintendents. He seemed to meet each year's challenges at budget time with fairness and respect for all departments while being a tireless advocate for the education of the town's children.

At a time when lack of leadership is an issue in many communities, Smith was a leader in all ways, which is why school board Chairman David Manoogian noted that the board was receiving Smith's letter of resignation with "mixed emotion."

Manoogian went on to praise Smith as having "been stellar in the role," and that, too, is a bit of an understatement as Smith has been the right person for the right job since he took over.

The board named Assistant Superintendent James Rice as Smith's successor on the spot, a move that school officials believe will enable the school system to maintain the stability that has been achieved under Smith. In the time that Smith has left, North Attleboro parents who have had students pass through the town's schools, or who still have students in the schools, should send a note of thanks to him for not only being a consummate professional throughout his time in the top education job, but also for bringing so much passion, care and commitment to his duties.

His performance over the last decade, and throughout his 34 years as an educator is worthy of an Olympic Gold Medal.

Olympic viewingSpeaking of the Beijing Olympics, how much of the Olympics have you been watching? I haven't been watching any near as much of the coverage as I have in past years, though I've enjoyed seeing the events that I've been able to catch live - especially the swimming.

And, I do expect to catch the track and field and other events, and am interested in seeing how the marathoners will fare given the pollution. (When I was in China to adopt my oldest daughter 11 years ago, my white Boston Marathon cap turned gray from soot when I'd return from my daily jogs.)

Perhaps some of the interest in these Olympics has waned due to the protests against some of China's policies, or perhaps there are just too many other things competing with people's interests. But once the Olympics begin, and the hype has turned into the reality of competition, it's hard not to impressed with the athletes - and not just the Americans.

It's those performances that remain the strength of the Olympics, and which hold out hope - albeit incredibly remote - that at some point, the world's nations can actually come together.

Thank you, JoanI'd like to take a moment to thank a reader, Joan Carty, who took the time to write a note thanking The Sun Chronicle for starting its rotating columns featuring various spiritual leaders on the Saturday Religion page.

"Wow! What a leap in faith and inspiration. I was fortunate to read the insert by Rev. John Sullivan and Rabbi Elyse Wechterman. I look forward to the upcoming stories. A welcome addition and very thought-provoking columns," she wrote.

Carty went on to compliment the staff, but as religion editor, I must give credit where credit is due - to the spiritual leaders who agreed to join the lineup. Besides Rev. Sullivan and Rabbi Wechterman, the leaders who are writing include the Rev. Dennis Baril, the senior pastor of Community Covenant Church in Rehoboth and the Rev. Julie Haspel-Schoenfeld, who is the pastor at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Attleboro.

The idea's purpose - which was proposed to us by Rabbi Wechterman - grew out of the Attleboro Council for Churches' interfaith group, and is mainly educational in nature. We hope the columns, to be called "Voices," will be enlightening and reflective of the different viewpoints in the area. Above all, we are hopeful that the column will promote a greater understanding of the diverse religious traditions with which the area is blessed. LARRY KESSLER is a Sun Chronicle local news editor. Contact him at lkessler@thesunchronicle.com.