HOLLIDAYSBURG - Hollidaysburg Area Senior High School Principal Linda McCall plans to retire in June after 39 years with the district - first as a teacher, then as an assistant principal and principal.
Assistant Superintendent Gary Robinson is also retiring at the end of the school year after 23 years in the district. The two administrators worked together as an assistant principal and principal team in the high school for 13 years.
"We've been colleagues and good friends. She does whatever it takes as an administrator to get the job done right for children," Robinson said Wednesday.
Robinson has served as assistant superintendent for the last nine years after serving as principal at the high school.
"He's been a true leader in curriculum and supervision for all of the district's schools," McCall said.
The Hollidaysburg Area school board accepted McCall's retirement request Wednesday.
McCall was the district's first female high school principal, Superintendent Paul Gallagher said.
"Congratulations to Linda. She made history. We thank her for her many years of service," he said.
Board Vice President Darlee Sill said McCall knew each student and could tell a story about them.
"Any time you lose that much experience, it's difficult. Hopefully we find someone who can replace her," Sill said.
The board also accepted the resignation of Linda Russo, the district's spokeswoman, grant writer and executive director of the Hollidaysburg Area School District Foundation, effective Nov. 2.
"We will really miss Linda Russo. She's done a lot of good for the district," Sill said. "She has gotten us huge grants. Now we have to get someone to fill her role as a grant writer and work with the foundation. She was someone who did a lot."
Of the administration positions set to be vacated, Sill is not sure that Robinson's position will be filled.
"We haven't gotten that far, but if we had to have an administrative cut, that position would be considered," Sill said. "Gary's done a fine job. A lot of districts are downsizing, questioning the need for an assistant superintendent," he said, adding that Robinson's duties could be spread out among the department heads.
Mirror Staff Writer Russ O'Reilly is at 946-7435.
