A Far North principal severely criticised by the Education Review Office for his poor performance has resigned after months of protests from the community.
Frank Barnes announced his departure from Matihetihe School through a letter which did not say where he was living or why he was leavinghis job.
Mr Barnes became the principal of the little primary school in Mitimiti, 70km southwest of Kaitaia, last year.
An ERO report released in February said his unsatisfactory performance as a professional leader and teacher was impeding the school's effectiveness.
Residents have been calling for his resignation since the report was released.
In March, parents took their children out of his class for a day in protest at his performance.
But he refused to resign, saying he was unhappy and surprised by the ERO report.
Then, in April, Mr Barnes left a note in the administration area saying he was taking sick leave and would return to school in May. A relief principal filled the position until last Friday.
Board of trustees chairwoman Jean Paparoa said it could be a struggle to recruit quality staff to work at Matihetihe School.
The two-teacher school has 34 pupils and is in one of the most remote parts of Northland.
Mr Barnes was hired in a hurry, she said, because the board had been trying to fill the position for months. It would spend more time finding a replacement for Mr Barnes.
Another relief principal would start work after the school holidays - the third principal since the beginning of the year.
Northland Board of Trustees Association chairman Eric Dodd said the Education Amendment Act, introduced at the end of 2000, required schools to report incompetence to the Teachers Council.
Schools needed to vet potential staff thoroughly, he said.
Board of Trustees Association president Chris France said the association wanted better access to information from the council to pick up incompetent teachers.
But this needed to be balanced with privacy and justice.
Ms Paparoa said any decisions relating to Mr Barnes' resignation would be discussed at a board meeting this month.
When asked if the board would change its procedures for hiring staff, she said: "We learn, don't we?"
The Herald could not contact Mr Barnes at his Far North home yesterday as his phone was disconnected.
