The Haworth Public School’s superintendent resigned less than a week after parents protested the principal’s non-renewed contract.

District Superintendent David Eichenholtz announced his resignation May 5, to take effect within 60 days.

"I can no longer bear to contend with situations created by others, alone and feeling unsupported," Eichenholtz wrote in a resignation letter.

"Publicly defending my work as an adjunct professor, given the effort that I have put forth, will not occur," he also wrote in the letter.

Eichenholtz has served as superintendent since 2007, in addition to his role as assistant principal and business administrator for 12 years in the district.

Parents favoring the re-hire of Principal Norberto Diaz rallied behind him at an April 30 school board meeting. Some blamed Eichenholtz, who said that the superintendent was "trying to fire Principal Diaz."

The superintendent had not recommended to the school board the renewal of Diaz’s contract, which expires June 30. Diaz has served as principal since 2007.

School board member George Kipel said that there were "strong comments on both sides. There was a vocal outpouring by people, who were surprised by the decision," he said. "[But] there are people were weren’t in support [of Diaz] who were vocal all year."

In a letter to parents, the Haworth Board of Education said it could rehire Diaz without the recommendation from Eichenholtz. The school board would need to pass a resolution with at least four favorable votes.

Diaz has said that he will appeal the decision to the school board, according to Kipel. The principal has 10 days to request the appearance upon the receipt of a statement that lists the reasons for his no-hire.

The superintendent did not wish to comment. The principal and other Board of Eduation members did not return phone calls and e-mails seeking further comment.

In order to move forward, the Haworth Board of Education plans to seek counsel from its attorney and the New Jersey School Boards Association.

The immediate goal is to find an interim superintendent, said Kipel. "I think [that] clearly, there’s an uncertainty and turbulence that persists," he said.

E-mail: gonzalezso@northjersey.com or call 201-894-6711