MONROE - Jim Brunette, longtime principal of Parkside Elementary School, will retire at the end of the school year.
Brunette notified the Monroe school board of his intent to retire in a letter dated Jan. 7. The school board accepted his resignation Monday.
Brunette began his career as a teacher. He worked three years in Monroe and two and one-half years for the Oregon school district before returning to the Monroe district in 1977. He worked as a traveling principal for East, South, Browntown and Hiawatha schools for nine years before those elementary schools were combined into Parkside. He has been principal at Parkside since it opened in 1986.
During his three-decade tenure, Brunette has been known as a popular and well-respected administrator with school officials, staff, parents and students.
"He's a great principal. The kids love him," school board member Bob Erb said. "It's sad to see him go."
This actually is the second time Brunette has announced his retirement. In 2007, he announced he would retire at the end of the 2007-2008 school year. Last February, he decided to stay on and signed a two-year contract that would have carried him through the 2009-2010 school year.
But this time, he's sure.
Brunette said there was no particular reason he decided to retire at the end of the year - rather, it was a feeling that it was time.
"I was glad I came back this year," he said, but "I just know it's time."
Brunette notified the Monroe school board of his intent to retire in a letter dated Jan. 7. The school board accepted his resignation Monday.
Brunette began his career as a teacher. He worked three years in Monroe and two and one-half years for the Oregon school district before returning to the Monroe district in 1977. He worked as a traveling principal for East, South, Browntown and Hiawatha schools for nine years before those elementary schools were combined into Parkside. He has been principal at Parkside since it opened in 1986.
During his three-decade tenure, Brunette has been known as a popular and well-respected administrator with school officials, staff, parents and students.
"He's a great principal. The kids love him," school board member Bob Erb said. "It's sad to see him go."
This actually is the second time Brunette has announced his retirement. In 2007, he announced he would retire at the end of the 2007-2008 school year. Last February, he decided to stay on and signed a two-year contract that would have carried him through the 2009-2010 school year.
But this time, he's sure.
Brunette said there was no particular reason he decided to retire at the end of the year - rather, it was a feeling that it was time.
"I was glad I came back this year," he said, but "I just know it's time."