Saugus Union School District is searching for a new Assistant Superintendent for Business after the current position holder tendered his resignation to the school board on Tuesday evening.

Victor Hyek resigned from the position after reportedly receiving a new job offer in a Thousand Oaks school district.

“Every time we hire anyone we want them to be long term for us,” said Joan Lucid, the SUSD superintendent “It’s our loss that he’s leaving and we’re sad to see him go.”

The board accepted the resignation on Hyek’s personal report at last night’s meeting.

Lee Morrell, the Public Information Officer for SUSD, says the resignation was “sudden” and “not planned.”

Hyek started as the Assistant Superintendent for Business on the Saugus Union School District School Board right after New Years, according to Morrell.

SUSD is turning to the search agency, School Services of California, to conduct a nationwide search for his replacement.

Morrell says that the school board anticipates the search taking anywhere from three to six months, but they are aiming for the search to conclude by September.

Hyek’s temporary replacement will be Cathy Shepard, formerly the Deputy Superintendent of the Palmdale School District. The board approved a contract on Tuesday for Shepard to serve as Assistant Superintendent for Business from August 1 to January 31.

As they are not sure when the next Assistant Superintendent of Business will start, the board decided to extend Shepard’s contract till January 31 so that the person who fills the position can have time to transition into it.