Harding High principal resigns

Applications for the high school post will be accepted through July 14.
BY AMANDA GARRETT
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
WARREN -- The city school district hopes to have a new principal for Warren G. Harding High School by Aug. 1.
The board of education accepted the resignation of Principal William E. Mullane at a special board meeting Thursday. Mullane was on vacation in Europe, but Superintendent Kathryn Hellweg said his resignation will be effective July 31 and the district will accept applications through July 14.
In his resignation letter, Mullane thanked the board "for the privilege of serving as Harding's principal for the past 10 years."
"Harding High School has a dedicated and hard-working staff that will support a new administration in moving our building and the district forward," Mullane wrote.
Hellweg said Mullane will be missed.
"Bill Mullane was a dedicated employee of the school district," she said. "He cared very deeply about the students, and we wish him good luck with his next endeavor."
Board Vice President Edward Bolino echoed her comments, saying Mullane was an asset to the district and the community.
"I'd like to thank Bill publicly for what he's done as the principal of an urban school district," he said. "I would see him in the hallways at 7 o'clock in the morning, and he'd still be there at 10 at night."
Taking another position
According to his resignation letter Mullane has accepted a position outside the district, but it wasn't immediately clear where.
Board President Robert L. Faulkner and board member Linda Metzendorf said they were surprised at the news.
"The highway of life takes many different paths," Metzendorf said.
Faulkner called Mullane "a real asset [who] was comfortable with all aspects of the job."
Mullane's resignation comes at a time of transition for Harding. Construction on the new $40 million high school began earlier this month.
The new school will be adjacent to the current building and is scheduled for completion in fall 2008.
Mullane became Harding's principal in March 1997, but began working for the Warren district in 1978 as a puppeteer for the district's recreation program.
He also held several positions, including art teacher and principal of Turner and Western Reserve schools before being named Harding principal.
Turner principal also resigns
The board also accepted the resignation of Turner Middle School Principal Mark Fleming, who will be returning to a teaching position.
Board Member Linda H. Metzendorf thanked Fleming for his service and said he wanted to move away from a stressful administrative position and return to teaching.
Anyone interested in the Harding position should contact the district personnel office at 261 Monroe St. N.W., or by phone at (330) 841-2321, Ext. 223.
agarrett@vindy.com