Bastrop High School Principal John Gosselink resigned last month after being placed on administrative leave. [PHOTO COURTESY OF BASTROP SCHOOL DISTRICT] ▲

Bastrop High School Principal John Gosselink resigned from the school district last month after being placed on administrative leave, according to an email sent to parents and students on March 9.

"I wanted to make you aware that principal John Gosselink has been placed on administrative leave and will not be returning to campus as principal," Superintendent Barry Edwards said in the email.

School district administrators have not disclosed why Gosselink was placed on administrative leave.

"Mr. Gosselink was placed on administrative leave, but I am not at liberty to discuss the reason," said district spokesperson Kristi Lee.

Gosselink declined to comment on Thursday.

Gosselink served as the school's principal for nine months. He was selected for the job in June 2019 after former principal Brad Brown retired.

Before resigning, Gosselink had worked in the district for 20 years serving as a teacher, assistant principal and principal.

He was described by the district as "one of the most popular and celebrated teachers at Bastrop High School" when he was selected to lead the high school.

He will be replaced by former teacher and principal Terrell King, who will be serving on an interim basis. King, who recently obtained his doctorate in education from the University of Texas, began his career in education as an English teacher at Bastrop High School between 2000 and 2004, according to his curriculum vitae.

He went on to serve as the assistant principal of Emile Elementary School in 2004, assistant principal of Bastrop High School in 2006, principal of Emile Elementary School in 2009 and principal of Bastrop Intermediate School in 2010.

After a stint in the Round Rock school district, he returned to the Bastrop school district to serve as its human resources director between 2015 and 2017.

"Many of you may know Mr. Terrell King, especially given that a number of students would have had Mr. King as a principal in their younger years," Edwards said in his email to parents. "He is able to step in immediately and we are confident he will be a solid support for our students and teachers."

Edwards said the district is searching for a new principal for the 2020-21 school year.