East Otago High School will operate in term 2 with an acting principal, after the departure of principal Rick Geerlofs last week.
Mr Geerlofs has been appointed principal of Kaikorai Valley College, in Dunedin, and will take up the role at the beginning of term 2.
His departure has left East Otago High School, in Palmerston, with short notice to fill the vacancy.
The school's board of trustees is working hard to find a replacement as soon as possible.
Board of trustees chairman Stefan Witehira was unavailable for comment yesterday.
However, Mr Geerlofs said the position had been advertised and applications would close on April 30.
It was hoped a new principal would be appointed in time for the start of term 3 this year.
In the meantime, the school's deputy principal, Lennox Sharp, would become acting principal, he said.
Mr Geerlofs will be officially welcomed to Kaikorai Valley College on April 24, when pupils from East Otago High School and Kaikorai Valley College participate in a handover ceremony.
