Linkhorne Elementary School principal resigns

Linkhorne Elementary School Principal Jason Mack, who has been at the helm of the school since 2003, has resigned.

Mack has not been at the school for at least three weeks, said Superintendent Paul McKendrick.

When asked if it was Mack’s decision to leave the school prior to his official resignation, McKendrick said he could not answer that question. Mack has tendered his resignation effective June 30, according to a personnel report slated to be approved by the school board today.

McKendrick said he met with parents on May 27, shortly after Mack’s departure and “explained as much as I could.” He has also met with faculty about the situation.

In Mack’s absence, McKendrick said the school’s assistant principal, Donna Rinker, has been fulfilling administrative duties. McKendrick also said retired principal Linda Barnett, formerly head of Dearington Elementary School for Innovation, has also been assisting Rinker.

Mack, who could not be reached for comment Monday, started with Lynchburg City Schools in 1996 at Heritage Elementary School where he was a fourth-grade teacher. He later taught third grade at R.S. Payne Elementary School in 1998 before moving to Perrymont Elementary School. At Perrymont, he was a teacher and administrative assistant until moving to Linkhorne in 2003.

McKendrick said the replacement process for Mack has already started. Typically when filling the position of an elementary school principal, McKendrick said he meets with faculty and parents to find out what qualities they are looking for in a new administrator.

McKendrick said staff and parents will also be asked if they are interested in participating in the interview process of principal candidates. He said there are three different groups in an interview panel. Those groups are parents, staff and central office personnel.

Parents are scheduled to meet with McKendrick again on Thursday. He said they have been notified via ConnectED, the school’s automated telephone message system.