Princeton R-5 Superintendent Dr. Darrell Smith has resigned his position at the school.
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Princeton Superintendent Resigns
Princeton R-5 Superintendent Dr. Darrell Smith has resigned his position at the school.
During a special meeting of the R-5 Board of Education on Wednesday night, members accepted Dr. Smith?s resignation, effective on June 30. Dr. Smith has accepted the superintendent?s job in the Waco School District at Wayland, IA, which is located just south of Iowa City.
?It was a good opportunity for me and my family,? Dr. Smith said. ?My wife?s family has a farm in the eastern part of that district and we will be moving back there to allow her to be close to her family. It?s kind of a payback to her for the 32 years she has followed me around as a teacher and administrator.?
Dr. Smith said the Waco School District is a bit larger than the Princeton District, with 600 students in grades kindergarten through 12.
?This is the size of school district I like,? Dr. Smith said. ?I?ve worked in large districts and small districts and the smaller districts allow me to get to know the kids and the faculty much better. It?s a nice size.?
Dr. Smith is completing his fourth year as superintendent in the Princeton School District and said he has enjoyed his time in north Missouri.
?It?s been a great four years here at Princeton,? Dr. Smith said. ?We have a great board, great faculty and great students and that is what has made my stay here a success.?
Dr. Smith went on to say that the accomplishments achieved in the district were more because of the school board, faculty and students rather than anything that he has done as an administrator.
?I?ve just kind of been the messenger,? he said. ?We?ve made some great strides in our district, in particular academically, where we?ve shown a turnaround in our testing. But that?s attributed to what the school board has said it wants, the willingness of the teachers to follow through and make the necessary changes and the students who have been willing to change their attitudes and understand the importance of these tests. As a result, we?re going to be honored for improving our test skills and that?s something I?m very proud of.?
The Princeton School District will be among several schools honored by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education for academic improvement during a program on April 9.
The Princeton School Board has contacted the Missouri School Boards Association, which will assist the board in its efforts to hire a new superintendent Dr. Smith said it is hoped to have an MSBA representative at the March 11 board meeting so that the process can begin as soon as possible.