Mazingo resigns as APA headmaster

Steve Mazingo resigned Thursday as Arendell Parrott Academy’s headmaster, only 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.

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

“The tradition of excellence will continue at Arendell Parrott Academy,” Archie said. 

Mazingo was first named APA’s new headmaster during November 2007; he had been Greene County Schools superintendent for 11 years before going to APA. He didn’t formally assume the responsibilities of the position until August 2008.

Pollock said APA’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.” Pollock said Mazingo called him Thursday night to announce his resignation before Hill’s announcement to staff Friday.

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

Several attempts were made Friday by The Free Press to reach Mazingo for comment, but he did not respond.

Mazingo’s educational career stretches over three decades. Mazingo was named APA headmaster after former APA headmaster Ike Southerland announced his resignation during January 2007.

APA officials searched seven months for a new headmaster until they named Mazingo as their next leader, beginning the 2008-2009 school year. Mazingo’s wife, Pam, is a member of the APA class of 1979.

According to school officials, Pam Mazingo was employed at APA as head of the academic center, where she helped tutor students at the center. Pollock said she also resigned Thursday from her position at the academy.

Pollock said Mazingo didn’t say what he planned to do next.

“He gave us 16 really good months,” Pollock said.

Pollock said APA will begin its new headmaster search very soon.

“This is just a bump in the road for us,” Pollock said.

Hill said Friday afternoon that Mazingo first notified APA at 4:30 p.m. Thursday that he was leaving APA.

“He did voluntarily resign,” Hill said. “He said he needed to resign for personal reasons. I didn’t ask him what the personal reasons were and just left it at that.”

Hill said during Mazingo’s 16 months at APA, he met with him weekly to discuss issues at APA. Hill said he was also surprised by Mazingo’s resignation.

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

Hill said APA Board of Trustees will meet next week to discuss a search for a new headmaster. APA had 700 students enroll in the 2009-2010 school year.

APA was founded in 1964 and serves students from nine Eastern North Carolina counties. APA is the largest independent  co-educational college prepatory school in the region.

Chris Lavender can be reached at 252-559-1078 or clavender@freedomenc.com.