NATCHEZ — A school year after hiring a new head of school, Trinity Episcopal Day School once again has its top spot open.

Board of Trustees Chairman Dr. Rod Givens said former head of school Cynthia Smith tendered her resignation May 21, the day before graduation.

The board appointed the Rev. Brandt A. Dick as acting head of school, a position he will fulfill alongside his instructional duties until a new head of school is hired.

Givens said he was slightly surprised with Smith’s decision to resign, but that Smith and Trinity parted ways amicably.

“(Smith) wants to move her career in a different direction,” Givens said. “(Trinity) accepted that, and we parted ways with no animosity.”

Givens said the timing of the vacancy is a little awkward, because many qualified administrators have already signed contracts with their current employers for the 2011-2012 school year.

“From a practical standpoint … everything has a way of moving in (school-year) cycles as far as administrators,” he said.

A search committee comprised of board members, parents and faculty members will begin getting the word out to accept candidate applications this week, Givens said.

“(The committee will) regroup and decide what (type of) candidate we want and post it in a day or so,” he said.

Givens said the committee would like to fill the position as soon as possible. Dick will remain interim head of school until an appropriate candidate is hired.

Dick will continue teaching math classes, but his instructional load might be lightened to allow him to simultaneously run the school, Givens said.

Dick said in a school newsletter he looked forward to the opportunity to be interim head of school.

“Our faculty, board, parents and students have many gifts that they bring to the table,” Dick said.

“I see my job as acting headmaster as being the facilitator for the use of all that talent, finding ways to harness and direct the energy and love that folks have for (Trinity).”

Smith was hired in January 2010 and assumed the position after completing the school year as a counselor at Vidalia High School.

Before that, Jackie Ezell was acting headmaster for the entire 2009-2010 school year, after the board terminated former head of school Delecia Carey.

Givens said the search committee would accept resumes from the regions and the nation for the position.

Those interested in applying for the position who meet the criteria of being a certified administrator and earning a master’s degree can mail resumes to the school or email them to Givens at rcgivens@hotmail.com, Givens said.