Sharon Pristash, the longtime principal of St. James Catholic School in Duluth, whose contract was not renewed for next year, has been hired as principal of a new Catholic school in Arizona.
Pristash says she's moving to Carefree, Ariz., north of Scottsdale, to be a teaching principal at Annunciation Catholic School in the St. Gabriel the Archangel parish.
St. James students, staff and families will hold a goodbye ceremony for Pristash today at 3 p.m.
"I'm happy for my opportunity; I'm just sad to be leaving this school," Pristash said. "A big part of my life was here. ... But so many people have told me that it's God's plan to have me be somewhere else now and doing new things, and I'm excited about that. It feels right."
Pristash said she has family in Arizona and had been considering a move there in the future when she received a call to apply.
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Pristash made headlines last month when news spread that her contract would not be renewed at St. James after 23 years at the school, the last 10 as principal.
The Rev. James Bissonette, a new parish priest at St. James, said he and Pristash had differing opinions on how the job should be done. In a letter to Pristash, Bissonette cited ineffective communication, different management styles and different philosophical views.
Many Pristash supporters rallied to her side, including students and parents, asking and praying that Bissonette change his mind. Those appeals failed to change the decision.
"We're very happy for Sharon. We knew she could get land a job anywhere because of her credentials," said Mike Lehto, father of four children at St. James. They are the fourth generation of the family to attend the Catholic elementary school in West Duluth.
Lehto called the church's handling of the situation "unfortunate."
"We're transferring our children to Cathedral in Superior because of this," he said. "It's such an unfortunate situation and it isn't over for us. The main issues here are still unresolved."
Pristash said she starts her new job July 1 and that her husband, Bob, a Duluth realtor, will join her in Arizona after their house is readied for sale.
