Hermiston High School Principal Buzz Brazeau has accepted an offer to become the next superintendent for the Central School District.

Its been a very difficult month and a difficult decision to leave our work in Hermiston, Brazeau said Tuesday. We have some new challenges ahead of us, but of course this puts us closer to family. Were excited for the opportunity.

Brazeau, 62, is in his fifth year as HHS principal. He served as the schools assistant principal for three years before taking the top slot, and he was recently named the Hermiston School Districts Administrator of the Year. A rural area with demographics similar to Hermiston, the Central School District serves the cities of Monmouth and Independence, as well as the surrounding area. In March, Brazeau said he applied for the Central School District position because it was a good fit for him professionally and personally because it would advance his career and put him closer to extended family.

The principal notified high school staff of his acceptance on Sunday, and the Central School Board ratified his contract after a Monday night board meeting.

Brazeau is expected to finish his current contract with the district on June 30; he will take over in Central on July 1. Between now and then, Brazeau said he will spend one day every couple of weeks in the Central School District, but the bulk of his time will be in Hermiston.

Weve got graduation coming up, weve got prom, weve got Spring Fling, academics. We have to get these things done, and we have to get next year set up for the high school. We have a lot left to do, he said. For Hermiston, the next step is to find a replacement.

For me personally, its a bittersweet decision Buzz is making, Hermiston interim Superintendent Wade Smith said. Buzz is an outstanding principal. None of us what to see him go, but Im very excited for him to be able to take the next step in his career. I have no doubt hes going to be an outstanding superintendent for that community. Were excited for him, but its obviously a huge loss for the Hermiston School District and the greater community. Buzz has had such an impact on so many different facets of our community here in Hermiston that he will be clearly missed.

Smith was scheduled to meet with the high school leadership team on Tuesday and the Personnel Committee of the Hermiston School Board on Wednesday. Both sessions will address a basic question: promote from within or search for a new principal.

Well meet with the leadership team, take their input, their suggestions, and then well plan the next steps, Smith said. By Thursday morning, we should have a pretty clear direction on whether we will look at internal applicants or go out for a posting.

Even if another staff member is considered for the position, the district will still have to fill that position. The superintendent said the district should post for openings soon in order to find the best candidates.

Were right in the heart of the hiring season right now, and we dont want to miss out on a great applicant, he said. Now is the time people are interviewing and looking for jobs, so this is the prime hiring season.

In addition to his work with the Hermiston School District, Brazeau is a member of the Umatilla County Fair board and a member of the Eastern Oregon Trade and Event Center Authority Board of Directors. I love Hermiston, and it was a tough decision to leave, Brazeau said. When you stick a knife in me, Im going to bleed the purple and gold of the bulldogs. Thats not going to change.