Arendell Parrott Academy headmaster resigns

KINSTON — Steve Mazingo resigned this week as Arendell Parrott Academy’s headmaster, a little more than two years after he accepted the position.

School spokeswoman Terah Archie said the resignation was effective immediately and that Mazingo had resigned for personal reasons. Mazingo was first named the academy’s new headmaster in November 2007; he had been the Greene County Schools superintendent for 11 years.

Archie said Hugh Pollock, the associate headmaster, will take over as interim headmaster. Pollock has served the academy for more than four decades.

Pollock said the academy’s Board of Trustees president, Stephen Hill, made the announcement Friday morning during a staff meeting that Mazingo had resigned. According to Pollock, Mazingo was not at the meeting.

“I don’t know why he resigned,” Pollock said. “I just got a call and was asked to fill in as interim headmaster.”

Pollock said the resignation came with “no forewarning.” He also said Mazingo called him Thursday night to announce his resignation before Hill’s announcement to the staff Friday.

“The staff is a little surprised, I’m sure,” Pollock said.

The Free Press of Kinston made several attempts Friday to reach Mazingo for comment, but he did not respond.

Hill said he was surprised by Mazingo’s resignation.

“He left on good terms,” Hill said. “He is always welcome back on campus.”

Hill said the academy’s Board of Trustees will meet next week to discuss a search for a new headmaster. The academy serves students in nine Eastern North Carolina counties and had 700 students enroll for the 2009-10 school year.