Carson Middle School Principal Tom Badillo announced plans to retire at the end of this school year, but his legacy will remain.
He is credited with hiring many of the district's leaders, including superintendent Mary Pierczynski, who said it is no coincidence that he served as mentor for many of the top administrators.
"He's a strong administrator and a strong leader," she said. "When you work for someone like that, you learn those skills.
"He taught us all to stand up for the kids and to always look out for what's best for your school. His retirement is a great loss to our district, but we wish him well."
The vacancy leaves two principal positions that will need to be filled. Mary Garey resigned as principal of Mark Twain Elementary School to return to her hometown of Omaha, Neb., at the end of the year to care for her ailing parents.
The new principals will be selected at tonight's school board meeting.
Badillo began his career in the Carson City School District in 1978 as an English teacher at Carson High.
Later he became vice principal at Eagle Valley Middle School, and four years later was named principal at Carson Middle School.
Garey served as dean of Carson Middle School for four years before becoming principal of Mark Twain in 1999.
This year, she was named Administrator of the Year by the state's classified employee association.
Badillo was selected by the University of Nevada, Reno as Outstanding Kindergarten through 12th-grade School Administrator in Northern Nevada in 1999.
Other administrators Badillo hired include Garey; Ernie McKenzie, director of the prison education program; Ferd Mariani, principal of Eagle Valley Middle School, and his vice principal Kathy Adair.
Carson City School Board members will review recommendations by a hiring committee to select the new principals.
Badillo was unavailable to comment. He is out of town for spring break this week.
If You Go:
What: Carson City School Board meeting
When: 7 tonight
Where: Carson City Community Center, Sierra Room
