Starkville High School Principal Keith Fennell will leave his position for a job as Jackson State University’s director of student academic services, school officials announced Thursday
Fennell’s last day as SHS leader is Feb. 28.
SSD Superintendent Lewis Holloway is expected to name an interim principal during Tuesday’s 6 p.m. school board meeting at the Greensboro Center. The interim is expected to serve for the remainder of the academic year.
School leaders will immediately begin a search process for a long-term replacement.
Officials confirmed Fennell was to be recommended again for his position during the 2014-2015 academic year. SSD trustees typically address its list of recommended principals and administrators every February. The list’s approval was postponed until Tuesday after the school board’s meeting was canceled this week.
“While the timing of Fennell’s resignation isn’t ideal, the district understands his desire to pursue a new opportunity in higher education,” Holloway said in a release. “We are confident that we can make an administrative adjustment for the remainder of the year that maximizes the strengths of SSD’s administrative team.
“We appreciate Fennell’s leadership at SHS during the past five years, and we wish him continued success at JSU,” he added.
The outgoing principal took over at SHS in 2009. In the release, SSD credited Fennell with fostering an environment of school spirit and pride and creating the school’s broadcast program.
“I will always have fond memories of SHS and the wonderful people of this great community,” he said in the release. “The Black and Yellow will forever be a part of my extended family, and I am eternally grateful for the experience to serve as principal of SHS.”
SSD rotated numerous principals between campuses before the start of the academic year. Former Armstrong Middle School Principal Elizabeth Mosley and former Henderson Middle School Principal Tim Bourne traded jobs in July, while former Overstreet School Principal Julie Kennedy and former Sudduth Elementary School Principal Lisa Thompson swapped leadership positions.
Fennell maintained his position at SHS during the changeover.
Holloway previously said the moves were conducted to help maximize administrative strengths.
Carl Smith covers Starkville and Oktibbeha County for The Dispatch. Follow him on Twitter @StarkDispatch
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