The principal of Williamsville East High School has resigned to become the superintendent of the Medina Central School District. Neal Miller, who has served as principal at East for the past 14 years, accepted his position as superintendent late last month.

Superintendent Howard Smith praised Miller as an outstanding school administrator, leader and mentor who has promoted a culture of community service among the student body.

“I’m happy for him,” Smith said after Tuesday’s annual board reorganizational meeting. “He’s certainly going to make an excellent superintendent, but he’s going to be missed here.”

The search for a new principal at East will begin immediately, Smith said. The district will advertise the position and convene a search committee of faculty and staff, parents, students and other principals.

Smith said the board should have a new principal appointed at its September meeting, with a start date of Oct. 15.

In other matters, for the second year in a row, the board unanimously reappointed William N. Freeman as board president and Michael J. Littman as vice president. The board also welcomed new member Eugene P. Covelli.

Smith also updated the board on the possibility of a new, varsity girls ice hockey league for the 2010-11 school year. A multidistrict committee of athletic directors recently recommended the formation of a girls league, which would require the commitment of at least five school districts.

Smith reaffirmed Williamsville’s commitment to fielding a districtwide team. The Monsignor Martin Athletic Association, representing the Catholic schools, has also committed to fielding a team in 2010.

Smith said he is hopeful three other districts will commit to fielding a team in the near future.