The North Tama school district will be in need of a new principal yet again following the resignation of elementary principal Susan Johnson which took place during this past Monday’s school board meeting.

It was only last March the district accepted the resignation of its former secondary principal Jeromiah Bliss who left for a job with Clear Lake Community Schools after serving just one full year in the position. Principal Taylor Howard was hired last summer to succeed Bliss.

During the Monday night meeting, Johnson’s resignation was approved by the four board members present as part of the consent agenda. Her resignation is effective at the end of the 2022-23 school year.

In a statement to the North Tama Telegraph following the meeting, Superintendent David Hill said of Johnson, “Principal Johnson has done a great job as our elementary principal over the past four school years. Prior to that, she worked at North Tama as the district’s K-12 instructional strategist and as a secondary language arts teacher. … I want to thank Ms. Johnson for leading North Tama Elementary with integrity over the past four years and wish her all the best in her future endeavors.”

During the board meeting, Johnson presented to the board as usual as part of the principals’ reports but did not address her resignation.

Johnson’s resignation was briefly touched upon by Supt. Hill as part of his report as it relates to hiring her replacement. The district does not plan to use a search firm as part of the process. The position should be posted in mid to late January.

Just prior to the board entering into closed session for superintendent evaluation, board members David Calderwood and Doug Dvorak addressed Johnson directly.

“I would like to thank Susan for your time as elementary principal and all the things you have done for us in getting the Elementary up to speed,” Calderwood said. “Thank you and good luck in your search.”

“I would like to agree with that, and wish you good luck in your future endeavors,” Dvorak added.

The North Tama Telegraph reached out to Johnson for comment regarding her decision to resign but had not heard back as of press time.