The motion was to accept the retirement resignation of High School Principal Frank Sincek.

Although no one voted against it, several board members voted yes with regrets to ending the district's 38-year relationship with Sincek.

Jerome Flint thanked Sincek for his commitment to the community and the students.

James Guerino noted the many positions Sincek has held, including speech teacher, science teacher for grades five through 12, attendance officer, head and assistant athletic coach, dean of students and assistant principal.

“He's done just about everything,” Guerino said. “He's always going to be remembered here.”

“You truly loved our kids,” said Superintendent Richard R. Rubano Jr. “If anybody bleeds blue and gold, it's Frank Sincek.”

Sincek, a Farrell High graduate and member of some of its state championship basketball teams, accepted the accolades graciously.

“It's been a pleasure working with you all of these years,” he said. “I couldn't ask for a nicer bunch of people to work with.”

Sincek, who turned 60 on June 5, the day his last group of students graduated, said a big factor in his decision was the recent financial retirement improvements made by the state.

But he also had the feeling that it was time.

“When you have that feeling it's best not to hang on,” he said. “I wanted to leave when I felt I had some semblance of dignity. It's hard to give up 38 years of your life.”

Sincek will not be a stranger to the school whose halls he has walked for so long. He will remain a volunteer assistant varsity basketball coach, and pledged to offer whatever help is needed to make a smooth transition for whoever handles his duties in the future.

Sincek, of Mercer, said he wants to spend more time with his wife of 27 years, Marianne, who accompanied him Monday and wiped away tears, his mother, his son and stepson and a granddaughter.