The West Mifflin Area school board last night reluctantly accepted the resignation of popular middle school Principal David Deramo, who is leaving the district to become principal of South Fayette Elementary School.

Mr. Deramo tendered his resignation to the board in an emotional public address in which he said he was proud to be a lifelong West Mifflin resident and proud of the work that he performed in the district for the past 12 years.

Mr. Deramo spent six years as a teacher and six years as a principal at the elementary and middle school levels in West Mifflin.

Mr. Deramo said the South Fayette school board hired him Tuesday night. In that district, he will oversee a building with grades K-4.

Most of the board members told Mr. Deramo they were sorry to see him leave the district. Board President Ned Mervos commended Mr. Deramo for his work in the district and in the community, where Mr. Mervos said the principal started the midget football league by personally raising $10,000.

"You've done an excellent job," School Director John Donis told Mr. Deramo.

Residents and school officials lined up to shake Mr. Deramo's hand after the meeting.

Brian Plichta, the academic principal at the middle school, was named acting principal.

In other business, the school board adopted a new policy on travel and conference attendance, but details of the policy were not available. Business Manager Dennis Cmar said a "Right to Know" request must be filed before a copy of the policy would be released.

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