Dr. Mario Andrade has resigned as superintendent of the Bristol Warren Regional School District, after months of turmoil over behavioral and staffing issues at the Kickemuit Middle School and Hugh Cole School, and financial issues that have forced district officials to make tough choices.

School committee chairwoman Erin Schofield announced Dr. Andrade's resignation at Monday night's meeting, following a roughly two-hour executive session called following the public comment portion of the meeting. There was no further discussion on the resignation.

Dr. Andrade's departure came the same day Warren resident Daryl Gould, an outspoken critic of the district's administration, started a petition drive requesting that the school committee remove the embattled superintendent. By the time of last night's meeting, that petition had been signed by 129 people.

Mr. Gould, who attended Monday's meeting, said that despite the petition drive the resignation "was a shock for sure."

Neither Dr. Andrade nor Ms. Schofield could be reached for comment this morning.

The story will be updated as more information becomes available.