Mathews High School principal Dave Malechek announced this week that he intends to step down from his post as soon as a suitable replacement is found. He said he is retiring for "personal family reasons."

Malechek served two stints as MHS principal, from 1998 to 2001 and from 2006 to now. "It’s an ambivalent feeling," he said of retiring after 34 years in education. On the one hand, he said, "I’ve always told my faculty and staff that your family comes first." But, at the same time, "I’ve enjoyed it here and it’s a great place.
"The support of the faculty and the community has been tremendous," he continued. Additionally, Malechek said, he has been very fortunate to work with a supportive administration and school board and he has seen the school make steady academic gains during his tenure here. "I could not have asked for anything more," he said.

Malechek informed Superintendent of Schools David...