In a shock resignation, Mark Heuston, who has worked at the school for 15 years, has accepted an offer as campus principal at Croydon Community School next year.

Peter Heffernan will take over as Berengarra's acting principal. The Glen Waverley independent special school of about 50 students with social and behavioural difficulties, still faces an uncertain future beyond 2009 when its lease expires.

Its two attempts to secure new sites in Notting Hill have been unsuccessful.

Mr Heuston will stay on the school council on a voluntary basis to work on Berengarra's relocation.

"My heart still remains with these kids," he said.

"I have spent 15 years at Berengarra School and feel that it is time for me to have a change. Also [it's] time for the school to have some new blood."

He said he wouldn't stop fighting for the school until a new home was found.

"We will keep battling on as there will always be a need for Berengarra School as an option for students who are struggling in mainstream schools. We are getting wonderful support from families and the community, [but] unfortunately this isn't being forthcoming from the [State] Government."