City High principal to leave job in June

City High School principal Mark Hanson will resign from his position effective June 30, the school's assistant principal said Saturday.

Terry Coleman said he and other school district officials received an e-mail from Hanson early Saturday. In it, Hanson said he would not stay on as principal once his one-year contract is fulfilled.

Coleman did not give a reason for Hanson's resignation, but said that the timing is appropriate for such a decision. That way, the school will have sufficient time to find, interview and evaluate qualified candidates for his replacement.

Hanson did not return phone messages requesting comment Saturday. Hanson's departure would coincide with that of current district superintendent Lane Plugge. The school board will now be looking to fill two high profile positions for the fifth largest district in the state, one that is still considering plans for redistricting and a new high school.

Hanson replaced former City High Principal Trudy Day in 2001. A Waterloo native, Hanson served four years as principal for Burlington High School before coming to City.

Coleman said that the school board has yet to accept or refuse Hanson's resignation. The board is next scheduled to meet on February 23.

Coleman is in his second year as an assistant principal at City High and says that Hanson has been a key leader in

helping the school, as well as the district, cope with change.

“Especially the last few years, (Hanson) really helped to lead us through some more difficult times with student population,” said Coleman. “He's a student advocate and always has their best interests at heart.”

Neither Plugge nor members of the school board returned phone messages on Saturday.