BANGOR – After four years, Bangor Assistant Superintendent Frank Hackett is leaving to head the Ellsworth School Department.

“I feel a calling. I’m ready to get back into it,” said Hackett, who was superintendent in East Millinocket and Camden-Rockport before taking the second-highest administrative position in Bangor in 2001.

“It’s been a great run here,” he said Monday after the Bangor school board reluctantly accepted his resignation. “I have thoroughly enjoyed working with the people in the school department.”

Hackett said he became “very intrigued” after the Ellsworth superintendent’s position opened up unexpectedly.

Bangor Superintendent Robert Ervin and the school board agreed Monday that Hackett had left his mark overseeing curriculum, assessments and staff development.

“Frank has done a wonderful job,” Ervin said. “I will miss his presence. But he wants to go, and I won’t hold him back.”

Vice chair Phyllis Shubert said the board also would miss Hackett.