Middle School Principal Resigns

John F. Kennedy Middle School principal Tim Van Tasel resigned Tuesday after two years on the job.

Van Tasel submitted his letter of resignation, effective Aug. 19, to Superintendent of Schools Jeffrey Schumann, who informed the Board of Education Tuesday night.

In his resignation letter, Van Tasel said he has accepted the position of Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum, Instruction and Human Resources in the East Hampton Public Schools.

"It saddens me deeply to leave Enfield, a community which has significantly influenced me both pesonally and professionally," Van Tasel wrote. "I feel very fortunate that I was able to give back to a town that has been an important part of my life since childhood."

Prior to taking over the middle school upon the retirement of former principal and current school board chairman Tim Neville, Van Tasel served as principal at Eli Whitney Elementary School. Prior to that, he spent nine years as a fifth-grade teacher in West Hartford.

Housemaster Sarah Collins will serve as interim principal until a replacement is hired, according to Schumann. Music teacher Sarah Brown will fill in as interim Housemaster.