New Principal for Central High School

Bob Wales to Move to Administrative Post

by Woody Jenkins, Editor

CENTRAL — Central High School principal Bob Wales will move to an administrative position with the Central Community School System beginning July 1, and the school board will begin the search for a new principal in the next few weeks.

Wales has compiled a record of accomplishment at Central High, including:

• Earning an ‘A’ school performance score for Central High from the Louisiana Department of Education, placing the school among the state’s top high schools.

• Earning the highest ACT scores in Louisiana

Wales’ new duties will include

• Directing Central’s Advanced Placement Program

• Preparing for changes in state performance requirements

• Overseeing ACT testing

• Reviewing Career Technical Education

• Addressing college readiness

• Directing district participation in the state’s testing program

• Planning the creation of an Alternative School for grades 8-12

• Administering the Homeless Program

• Developing a plan for an Early College Academy at Central High

• Planning on-line courses for grades 6-12

Central Community school board president Dr. Jim Gardner said the board has authorized Supt. Mike Faulker to hire a firm to conduct a search for a replacement for Mr. Wales.  Gardner said the next principal would need good leadership skills, the ability to manage the faculty, and the ability to manage a rigorous program in all respects.  He would need a Masters degree and have administrative experience, Gardner said.

Faulk mentioned other requirements he has for the new principal, including being able to lead the transition to the state’s new core curriculum standards and accountability and also the new career diploma.

Faulk hopes to receive the names of finalists from the search firm and have a principal in place or at least selected by June 1.  The board’s Human Resources Committee will come up with details on the process of selecting a new principal.