The principal of Broadway Middle School announced his resignation Tuesday to the Seaside School District board.

After serving two years as assistant principal and another two as principal, Robert Rusk said he decided to step down at the end of this school year to move to Vancouver, Washington, to address “family needs.” He has taken a job as the principal of Seton Catholic College Prep, a high school in the Vancouver area.

“(Seaside) is an amazing community. The students, the staff, the supportive board … It’s going to be really difficult to leave,” Rusk said. “Even though I’ve only been here four years, this community feels like family.”

Rusk said some of his favorite moments as principal included seeing Seaside’s soccer team head to the state tournament as a volunteer coach, as well as getting to greet all of the students every morning at the front doors.

The school board unanimously accepted the resignation, but with a collective sense of sadness. Superintendent Sheila Roley said Rusk is known for his ability to connect with students, and commended him for “building a culture of positive behavior and high expectations” at the middle school. The search process to find Rusk’s replacement will begin immediately.

“(Rusk) has done a wonderful job. We’ll miss him very much,” Roley said. “I’m sure he’ll be as much of an asset to (Seton Catholic College Prep) as he was for us.”