Narva Language Lyceum director resigns just weeks into the job

Svetlana Raudonen has resigned as director of the Narva Language Lyceum at her own request, submitting her resignation letter to city authorities on September 3. Narva Mayor Jaan Toots told Rus.ERR about the resignation on Friday.

According to Toots, Raudonen explained her decision by saying the job turned out to be different from what she had expected. He noted that this is exactly what a probationary period is for — allowing a person to realize the position isn't right for them. The city government learned of the resignation the day before, and the relevant documents were signed on Friday.

Raudonen had officially taken up the director's post only on August 24. Her appointment followed an open competition that drew 12 applications, with the city government approving her candidacy on July 22, while Katri Raik still held the mayor's post at the time.

The city now must decide how to find a new permanent head for the lyceum. Toots said he would first wait for proposals from relevant officials before deciding on further steps.

During her adaptation period, Raudonen was assisted by Irina Yanovich, a coalition member of the Narva City Council and director of Pähklimäe School, who had been appointed as her mentor. Yanovich said she met with Raudonen twice in August to help her settle into the role and called the resignation a major surprise.

Asked whether former lyceum director Nadezhda Cherkashina — who was dismissed by the previous city administration and supports the current coalition — could be reinstated, Toots gave no direct answer.

Cherkashina had led the lyceum since 2006 before being removed from her post in early June, with city authorities citing repeated serious violations in how the school and its educational process were organized. Cherkashina herself and opposition representatives linked her dismissal to political conflict. After her departure, the lyceum was run temporarily by an acting director until Raudonen was chosen through the June competition.

Toots stressed that the school has now been without a permanent director for four months, a problem that has resurfaced with Raudonen's departure as September gets underway.