Antioch school principal quits

Antioch Upper Grade School Principal Mike Zarco resigned this week and has been replaced by a subordinate.

Officials announced Zarco's departure in a statement on the district's website. They cited "personal reasons related to medical issues" as the reason for Zarco's resignation.

The move follows the creation of an online petition calling for the District 34 board to fire Zarco. The petition, which as of Friday had been signed by 75 people, criticized Zarco's professionalism and demeanor with parents, students and staffers.

The district statement about Zarco's resignation, which was signed by Superintendent Jay Marino, made no mention of the criticisms levied against the former principal.

Marino couldn't be reached for comment Friday.

Cheree Molitor, a representative for the Upper Grade School teachers union, declined to comment Friday.

Zarco had been the school's principal since July 2014.

He was replaced by Joseph Koeune, who had been the school's assistant principal. The District 34 board approved the promotion Tuesday night.

Koeune will serve as interim principal through the end of the current school year.

Koeune had been assistant principal since 2013. He previously worked as a math teacher and athletic director at the Upper Grade School, which serves sixth- through eighth-graders.

Koeune couldn't be reached for comment.