McKeesport Area school director Mark Holtzman said he had no idea that Michael Brinkos was planning to leave the district after just one year as superintendent until he read about it on the Post-Gazette's website Tuesday.

"I was very surprised," Mr. Holtzman said. "I feel like he's got a lot of unfinished work here."

Mr. Holtzman said the district "will have big shoes to fill" in replacing Dr. Brinkos. "He did an outstanding job."

Dr. Brinkos, 46, who has been with the McKeesport Area district for the past 22 years, was hired on Monday as the new director of human resources at the Allegheny Intermediate Unit. He replaces Bill Addy, who retired in July.

Dr. Brinkos became the Mc-Keesport Area superintendent in July 2009 and had four years remaining on his contract when he announced his resignation.

He will start his new job at the AIU on Sept. 27. His AIU salary will be $122,000, which is lower than the $134,000 he is being paid at McKeesport Area.

The McKeesport board was so pleased with his performance that it recently approved a $4,000 raise.

But Dr. Brinkos said a desire for "professional growth" prompted him to pursue the AIU position.

Dr. Brinkos was formerly the director of personnel and pupil services for the school district and handled personnel issues as assistant superintendent. He also has experience in contract negotiations -- a skill the AIU was seeking in candidates for the position.

"I'm trying to expand my horizons," Dr. Brinkos said of his career move.

He said he has spoken with AIU Executive Director Linda Hippert about "being involved in some of the educational initiatives at the intermediate unit in addition to handling personnel issues."

Last month, the McKeesport district received criticism from residents after the board hired Mr. Holtzman's son, also named Mark, as high school principal at a salary of $80,000 a year despite the fact that he has no experience as a classroom teacher or principal.

The younger Mr. Holtzman worked for two years in Mc-Keesport as a behavior specialist and three years at West Mifflin Area High School as dean of students. Residents accused the board of nepotism over the hire.

But board President Wayne Washowich referred questions on the hiring to Dr. Brinkos, claiming the board was not involved in the hiring.

At the time, Dr. Brinkos said he could not comment specifically on why the younger Mr. Holtzman was hired because it was a personnel matter, but acknowledged that he had performed well in his previous position as behavior specialist with the district.

Dr. Brinkos said he's leaving the McKeesport district "in good standing. There's been an improvement in test scores. The curriculum has been revamped and there is a quality administrative team in place that will move the district forward."

Among the unfinished business Dr. Brinkos leaves behind is the construction and renovation project that calls for creating three elementary/intermediate schools to hold kindergarten through grade 6.

Those schools include a newly constructed Cornell school at the site of the current Cornell Intermediate School in McKeesport, an expanded and renovated Francis McClure school in White Oak and a third new school at a yet-to-be-determined location in McKeesport.

Dr. Brinkos said he informed Mr. Washowich about his departure on Monday evening after he was hired by a unanimous vote of the AIU board.

Mr. Washowich could not be reached for comment. Board vice president Steven Kondrosky said he too was surprised at the news of Dr. Brinkos' departure.

"I am really surprised that he is leaving after just one year as superintendent. I fought very hard to get him there," Mr. Kondrosky said.

"This is going to be really tough to replace him. He was someone who knew exactly what was going on and what to do to protect the district."

Mr. Kondrosky said the board's next meeting is scheduled for Sept. 15. He was not certain if the board president would call a special meeting before then to name an interim superintendent while the board searches for a permanent one.

School director Thomas Maglicco said he was shocked and saddened by Dr. Brinkos' decision to leave.

"I think he is a tremendous asset to the district and this is a huge loss for us,'' Mr. Maglicco said.

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