By Justin Vick
[email protected]
Todd Smith will go from being principal at Jay M. Robinson High School to principal at Cox Mill High School, Cabarrus County Schools announced Friday afternoon.
Smith will be responsible for preparing the school for its fall 2009 opening.
He now has the distinction of being new Superintendent Barry Shepherd’s first hire as principal.
Shepherd said he is pleased Smith accepted the position, describing him as a dedicated instructional leader who leads by example and works well with students, staff and parents.
“Dr. Shepherd said he interviewed him extensively and felt real confident with Todd,” said Board of Education member Andrea Palo. “I have a lot of confidence in Dr.
Shepherd, because he’s done a wonderful job so far.”
Before joining Jay M. Robinson as principal in summer 2005, Smith served as an assistant principal at Central Cabarrus High and as a teacher in Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools. He’s been in education for 16 years.
In a statement released by the school system Friday, Smith said he valued his experiences at Jay M. Robinson High, crediting students, staff and parents. He also appreciates the opportunity to be part of the vision for the new high school.
“It is an honor to be selected to fulfill a dream of every principal,” Smith stated. “Building a vision from day one for the future of our students is an awesome privilege. I am extremely proud and excited to be given such an incredible opportunity of creating a family of staff, students and parents.”
The school board approved its 2008-09 budget on Thursday, which includes $240,000 in partial salaries and benefits to be paid to a core group of Cox Mill staff charged with preparing the school for opening.
Of that amount, $68,000 in local dollars will be paid to the principal for ninth months of work. The remaining three months will come from state funds.
Other staff positions to be partially funded next year include two assistant principals, an athletic director and a transportation planner. These amounts aren’t official until county commissioners approve the budget.
• Contact Justin Vick at [email protected] or 704-789-9138.