The Scotia-Glenville Board of Education is looking for a new member after Brian McCann stepped down after just one year of service following his appointment as principal of Guilderland High School.

“Trying to handle the responsibilities of running a large suburban high school and being able to devote the kind of time and commitment expected of a member of any board of education just became impossible,” he said.

McCann said when he originally ran for the board seat last year he was an assistant principal at Guilderland High — a position he held since 1991 — and he anticipated retiring this June at age 55 after 32 years in education.

However, he said his work situation took a “180-degree turn” last August when he was asked to step in as acting principal after Michael Paolino was placed on administrative leave July 28.

School officials did not discuss the reason at the time, calling it a personnel matter. Paolino resigned effective Dec. 31.

McCann interviewed for the permanent position and was appointed last month. He said he is grateful for the support he has received so far from the Guilderland district offi ce, staff and students.

“It’s been a very rejuvenating move for me at this point in my career,” he said.
McCann said he is pleased that during his short time on Scotia-Glenville’s board, the district was able to put a $27 million building proposition to renovate the middle and high schools and install artifi - cial turf up for a vote last December — even though it failed. The district had been talking about another building project for a long time and finally presented it to the voters.

Residents approved a scaleddown, $11.9 million proposition to enclose the middle school library, replace roofs and replace the athletic track last month.

District spokesman Robert Hanlon said the Board of Education discussed McCann’s decision at its Monday meeting and didn’t want to hold a special election to fill the seat, which it would have to do within 90 days. Another option is to appoint someone to the seat, and that person could run for the final year of McCann’s term in the May 2010 election. The last option is to leave the seat open.

The board will meet again at 7 p.m. on June 22 at the district office.