SEAN McCann, principal of Colaiste Chiarain, Leixlip, Co Kildare, will succeed Frank Murray as general secretary of the Association of Community and Comprehensive Schools (ACCS), E&L has learned.

McCann has accepted the position but the Department of Education has yet to sanction the appointment, which will be a five-year secondment.

McCann is currently president of the ACCS and is a former treasurer. He has served on the executive for seven years. I am looking forward to getting more involved in helping the 77 schools in our sector. My job will be to try and promote the objectives of the association; to facilitate and to help the member boards in the discharge of their duties. I will also be there to service the needs of the executive," he says.

Through his involvement on sub-committees of the ACCS, McCann is no stranger to the negotiating table, having been involved in teacher issues, buildings, inservice and industrial relations issues.

Originally from Dangan, Co OffaIy, McCann began his teaching career with Co Offaly VEC. He was appointed principal of Ferbane Vocational School, Co Offaly, in 1975. He held this position for five years, when he acted as chief executive officer with Co Offaly VEC for a short period.

Principal of Colaiste Chiarain since 1980, McCann says that it will be difficult to leave the school. "I'm sure I'll miss the interaction with the students. I've made a lot of tremendous friends in Leixlip but I think that the time has come for me to move on.

It is expected that McCann will take up his duties on August 1st. Meanwhile, Tomas Mac Eoin, retired principal of Tarbert Comprehensive School, Co Kerry, is care-taking the general secretaryship. Mac Eoin was instrumental in setting up the ACCS and was its first lay president.