Bonner Springs ? A suburban Kansas City school’s test scores have been thrown out and its principal has resigned after testing procedures were not followed.

The Kansas State Department of Education invalidated the 2002-03 math and reading assessment scores at Glenwood Ridge Elementary this week, after the Basehor-Linwood school district reported what it termed procedural irregularities.

Tom Sack, who resigned as principal on Friday, addressed the irregularities Tuesday in a letter sent home with students.

“It was my failure to follow testing protocol that has caused concern over our 2002-2003 state assessment scores,” he wrote. “Since I was the principal, I was responsible to make sure those tests were given and taken in a very strict testing environment. I made a mistake by not following that protocol and I am now paying the consequence.”

The school district distributed the letter, which was addressed to students, parents and staff, at Sack’s request.

Supt. Jill Hackett declined to discuss the matter. “Because this is a personnel matter,” she said, “Kansas state law and Board of Education policy precludes us from commenting further.”

Parents described Sack as a popular principal. Still, some wanted him to provide a more thorough explanation.

“An explanation would help the healing process,” said Roxann Storms, whose son is a second-grader. “As a parent I am extremely distressed to have these test scores invalidated. It affects our whole curriculum and our whole instruction. We don’t know where our strengths and weaknesses are now.”

Sack had worked at the district for 12 years, serving as Glenwood Ridge principal since 1999.