HUTCHINSON, Kan. — After a decade of having only one head principal for both campuses of Hutchinson Middle School, an opportunity presented itself to go back to two head principals in 2016-17.
At Monday evening’s Hutchinson School Board meeting, they will be asked to approve the hiring of Bruce Huford as principal of the Hutchinson Middle School – 8, at 200 West 14th. Huford current is principal at Chapman Middle School.
On March 14, the board approved the hiring of Jeff Shearon, superintendent of Burrton Public Schools, as principal for Hutchinson Middle School. Shearon will be principal of HMS-7, at 210 East A.
Currently, David T. Patterson is principal of Hutchinson Middle School. He is leaving education for a job in the private sector.
During the hiring process other changes in the district made it possible to hire a second full-time principal for the middle school. Kevin Armstrong, activities coordinator for the middle schools, accepted the district activities/athletics director position, based at Hutchinson High School. He replaces Eric Armstrong who is taking a similar position in the Goddard school district.
Both Huford and Shearon were finalists for the original HMS opening. Kevin Armstrong’s position will not be replaced with the two assistant principals at the schools assuming those activity coordinator duties for their campuses.
“Having a head principal in each building should allow us to provide better educational services to students and their families,” said Superintendent Dr. Shelly Kiblinger. “Having the instructional leader in the building all day will enhance our ability to lead staff in instructional initiatives, build relationships with students and be available to meet with parents when needed. We believe this will pay big dividends in improved student learning outcomes.”
The two campuses of HMS had separate principals when they were combined and ceased being Sherman and Liberty middle schools in 1999-2000. When Randy Norwood, then principal for HMS-7, was promoted to district director of warehousing for the 2005-06 school year, the HMS-8 principal became the sole principal over both campuses. Since 2005-06, three different principals have had to split time between the two buildings.
The change originally was done to unify the two campuses and reduce costs. Norwood since has been promoted to the district’s executive director of operations.
Both Shearon and Buford will join the district in July for the 2016-17 school year.