slideshow

slideshow

Anthony Cloud

Staff Writer

After five years of being the principal for Middlesboro High School, Sheila Smith is moving to the central office building. She will now be the Director of Supervision and Instruction.

In her new role, Smith will be involved in areas such as testing, instruction, curriculum and new teachers for the entire district.

“I am excited about the new challenge,” said Smith.

She stated she was going to miss all the teachers and students, as well as the school setting each day. It was a hard decision to make, according to Smith. She said she knew if she did not take the position it may never get another opportunity.

One of the biggest differences, according to Smith, with her new job will be travel. She expects to spend more time on the road and in meetings because she will be working for the entire district. She also said there would be less extracurricular activities with her new job.

“We are very excited about (Sheila) Smith,” said Middlesboro Superintendent Rita Cook. “She will be a great asset.”

Cook said the curriculum for Kentucky schools is about to change and it will be great to have someone that was already in the school system to help the district deal with those changes.

With Smith moving to the central office, Middlesboro High School will be searching for a new principal. Cook said it would take a month at the earliest to find a new principal.

Cook is going to have a meeting with the site-based council to discuss the required training session that the council must participate in. By state law, the SBDM must go through a principal selection training before interviews can be done.

Following the training, SBDM will set interview dates. Cook said anyone interested should apply for the job. Individuals must have their principal certification to be eligible for the position.

Pursuant to KRS 160.345 (2)(h)2, the outgoing principal cannot serve on the school council during the principal selection process. Instead, the superintendent, or her designee, will serve as the chair of the school council during the selection process.

This person will have voting rights during the process. The new principal must be selected on a majority vote of the membership of the school council.

Anthony Cloud is a staff writer for the Middlesboro Daily News. He can be contacted via email at acloud@heartlandpublications.com.