Mercer Island High School principal John Harrison announced Oct. 4 that he will be stepping down to take a position with the Bellevue School District.

According to the school district, Harrison will be working in the central office at BSD. His last day will be Oct. 13.

In the interim Mercer Island School District Superintendent Gary Plano has named retired administrator Patricia Blix to be the interim principal.

Blix was a long time middle school principal in the Renton School District, and was an interim principal at West Mercer Elementary from 2006 to 2008. She will begin in the position on Nov. 4 because of a study trip she is currently on in Guatemala. In the meantime, MIHS athletic director Craig Olson will be acting principal.

Harrison joined the MIHS staff in 2005, coming from Canada.

“I continue to support John in his journey of professional growth. His new position in Bellevue is an important step in attaining his career goals,” said Plano in a press release. “Pat Blix is an outstanding educator, and I feel fortunate to be able to work alongside her again. Our high school team is fortunate to have an able and willing leader to step in as interim principal with such short notice.”

The district will work with the school staff, community and the administrative team to begin the search for a new principal, whose start date would be July 1, 2012.