DARLINGTON - Douglas McArthur will resign as Darlington High School principal at the end of the school year, the school announced Friday afternoon in a news release.
The board will vote on accepting McArthur's resignation at its regular meeting Monday.
McArthur has previously been at the center of a community debate on whether his contract should be renewed. In January 2013, the Darlington school board extended McArthur's contract by a year, despite concerns raised by some residents. One school board member, Jeremiah Kleiber, said at the time that the community was evenly split on McArthur's performance as principal, with half wanting his contract renewed and the other half opposed to renewing it.
Duane Jorgenson, school board president, said Friday the school is unable to comment on the circumstances of McArthur's resignation.
"When it comes to employment issues, there's a confidentiality issue and I have to respect that," he said.
Jorgenson said the process for finding McArthur's replacement should begin "rather quickly."
"Obviously, I think there's been discussion amongst staff and the board regarding replacements. ... There will be a posting of the job opening so we can begin the formal hiring process."
Jorgenson said finding McArthur's replacement won't be easy.
"He's been a fixture in this community for a long time as a teacher and as a coach, and now as principal," he said. "And the passion that he brought to everything he did is something that our school district will miss."
As former football coach, McArthur led the Redbirds to four state title championships and three state runner-up finishes in the 1980s and 1990s.
Darlington Superintendent Denise Wellnitz was not available for comment.
The board will vote on accepting McArthur's resignation at its regular meeting Monday.
McArthur has previously been at the center of a community debate on whether his contract should be renewed. In January 2013, the Darlington school board extended McArthur's contract by a year, despite concerns raised by some residents. One school board member, Jeremiah Kleiber, said at the time that the community was evenly split on McArthur's performance as principal, with half wanting his contract renewed and the other half opposed to renewing it.
Duane Jorgenson, school board president, said Friday the school is unable to comment on the circumstances of McArthur's resignation.
"When it comes to employment issues, there's a confidentiality issue and I have to respect that," he said.
Jorgenson said the process for finding McArthur's replacement should begin "rather quickly."
"Obviously, I think there's been discussion amongst staff and the board regarding replacements. ... There will be a posting of the job opening so we can begin the formal hiring process."
Jorgenson said finding McArthur's replacement won't be easy.
"He's been a fixture in this community for a long time as a teacher and as a coach, and now as principal," he said. "And the passion that he brought to everything he did is something that our school district will miss."
As former football coach, McArthur led the Redbirds to four state title championships and three state runner-up finishes in the 1980s and 1990s.
Darlington Superintendent Denise Wellnitz was not available for comment.