Assistant Starkville School District superintendent Toriano Holloway will serve as Starkville High School’s interim leader for the rest of the academic year as the district begins its search to replace outgoing Principal Keith Fennell.
Holloway’s assignment was approved during Tuesday’s school board meeting.
Fennell will take over as Jackson State University’s director of student academic services next month. His last day with SSD is Feb. 28.
The district unveiled a timetable for the high school principal search Tuesday, one that could see a hire made in April. A search committee comprised of SHS faculty, parents, community leaders, students and administrators will form to decide top qualities and priorities sought in the search and develop a grading system for rating candidate applications.
The committee will tentatively interview candidates from March 24-28 and then suggest its top two or three candidates for follow-up interviews with SSD Superintendent Lewis Holloway on April 7.
Toriano Holloway’s resume includes experience as a high school principal prior to joining the Starkville school system. He also taught high school biology.
Officials previously told The Dispatch that Fennell was to be recommended again for his position during the 2014-2015 academic year.
“While the timing of Fennell’s resignation isn’t ideal, the district understands his desire to pursue a new opportunity in higher education,” Lewis Holloway said last week. “We appreciate Fennell’s leadership at SHS during the past five years, and we wish him continued success at JSU.”
The outgoing principal took over at SHS in 2009. In a district announcement last week, SSD credited him with fostering an environment of school spirit and pride.
“I will always have fond memories of SHS and the wonderful people of this great community,” Fennell said in a release last week. “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.”
Carl Smith covers Starkville and Oktibbeha County for The Dispatch. Follow him on Twitter @StarkDispatch
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