California principal resigns, citing inability to secure housing after Camp Fire

The principal of Paradise High School in Northern California resigned this week, saying he has not been able to secure housing for his family following the devastating wildfires in the area last November.

In a Facebook post on the school’s page, the principal, Loren Lighthall, said he and his wife need to consider the needs of their seven children, the youngest of whom is 4 years old. 

{mosads}“It is with great sorrow that I am resigning as Principal of Paradise High School,” he wrote. “I loved working with your children and they are the reason I loved this job so much. We have accomplished some amazing things in our time together.”

Lighthall said that starting in July, he will be the principal of Hughson High School in central California.

“Thank you for welcoming me and my family and letting us be a part of your lives,” he wrote. “I have received amazing support from Michelle and the district office, parents, teachers, students, and the community. I will always bleed green and gold!”

Lighthall’s family lived in temporary housing following the Camp Fire, the deadliest wildfire in state history and the world’s costliest disaster in 2018. More than 80 people were killed, and thousands of homes and other buildings were destroyed. 

Lighthall told NPR in December that his family’s home was “basically leveled.”

“It’s devastating,” he said at the time. “It looks like a warzone.”