Hermitage School Board members knew they would have one resignation to deal with Wednesday.

Some were surprised to find that two of their own had resigned.

As planned, Duane J. Piccirilli resigned after 10 years on the board. Piccirilli was elected Hermitage commissioner and will be sworn in Jan. 5.

The surprise was Carol Rich also resigned. Superintendent Karen A. Ionta said Mrs. Rich tendered a resignation letter Tuesday.

Mrs. Rich, who was just re-elected to a second four-year term, said she does not have the time to commit to the board. Her job as executive director of the Children's Center of Mercer County, Hermitage, takes a lot of time, and she's pursuing a master's degree in teaching and curriculum at Pennsylvania State University.

"If I'm not going to give 100 percent, I shouldn't do it," she said.

Mrs. Rich said she's proud of the contributions she made to the board and considers the district to be "the best."