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Hatcher to stay at Fort White High School
Markham dispels talk of principal being replaced.
By TROY ROBERTS
troberts@lakecityreporter.com
Columbia School District Superintendent Grady “Sam” Markham confirmed Thursday that Fort White High School Principal Keith Hatcher will return to the school in the fall, dispelling previous rumors that Hatcher would be moved for the 2008-2009 school year.
Markham addressed the faculty and staff at Fort White High School Thursday afternoon to inform them of his decision.
“I felt like I had to be fair to the faculty and staff and I had promised them as soon as I made up my mind that I would let them know,” Markham said. “I gave them the news this afternoon and told them I had thought it over, and the best thing to do was put this to rest and keep Mr. Hatcher at Fort White.”
Hatcher has been the only principal the school has ever known. He was hired a year before the school opened for the 2000-2001 school year.
“I’m looking forward to spending some more time at Fort White High School,” Hatcher said. “I want to express my gratitude to the Fort White community, to my faculty and staff and to the students for their continued support,” he said. “It’s going to be a great privilege to continue to serve them down there.”
Hatcher also thanked his family for their continued support and to Markham for letting him continue to serve the Fort White community.
Markham had said previously he had concerns regarding the administration of Fort White High School, which has maintained a “C” grade for several years.
“I had gone down there a few weeks ago and spoke to the faculty and staff to let them know we were considering a change to see if perhaps we could stimulate the community and the school, but it was obvious the vast majority of his teachers were in total support of him,” Markham said. “And then when we went to the (May 13) board meeting, those young people came forward and spoke on his behalf and brought me 700 signatures of students from down there.
“Through this whole ordeal, I have not received one negative phone call from that community in support of moving Mr. Hatcher. When I weighed all of the options, I didn’t think it was the right time to make a change,” he said.
Markham noted that he, assistant superintendent of instruction Lex Carswell, school district director curriculum assessment Kitty McElhaney and director of human resources management development Dr. Marty Cox will meet with Hatcher next week to discuss ways to improve the school.
“We think it’s better for (Hatcher) to go back and address those issues with his faculty and staff, and we feel like Keith will be receptive and accept that as positive criticism and we hope and pray that we can make it an even better school,” he said.
In addition to the staff support, Markham noted that the recent Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test writing scores — which marked improvement at the school — and a positive review from the Southern Association of Schools and Colleges, helped him in the decision.
Markham addressed the faculty and staff at Fort White High School Thursday afternoon to inform them of his decision.
“I felt like I had to be fair to the faculty and staff and I had promised them as soon as I made up my mind that I would let them know,” Markham said. “I gave them the news this afternoon and told them I had thought it over, and the best thing to do was put this to rest and keep Mr. Hatcher at Fort White.”
Hatcher has been the only principal the school has ever known. He was hired a year before the school opened for the 2000-2001 school year.
“I’m looking forward to spending some more time at Fort White High School,” Hatcher said. “I want to express my gratitude to the Fort White community, to my faculty and staff and to the students for their continued support,” he said. “It’s going to be a great privilege to continue to serve them down there.”
Hatcher also thanked his family for their continued support and to Markham for letting him continue to serve the Fort White community.
Markham had said previously he had concerns regarding the administration of Fort White High School, which has maintained a “C” grade for several years.
“I had gone down there a few weeks ago and spoke to the faculty and staff to let them know we were considering a change to see if perhaps we could stimulate the community and the school, but it was obvious the vast majority of his teachers were in total support of him,” Markham said. “And then when we went to the (May 13) board meeting, those young people came forward and spoke on his behalf and brought me 700 signatures of students from down there.
“Through this whole ordeal, I have not received one negative phone call from that community in support of moving Mr. Hatcher. When I weighed all of the options, I didn’t think it was the right time to make a change,” he said.
Markham noted that he, assistant superintendent of instruction Lex Carswell, school district director curriculum assessment Kitty McElhaney and director of human resources management development Dr. Marty Cox will meet with Hatcher next week to discuss ways to improve the school.
“We think it’s better for (Hatcher) to go back and address those issues with his faculty and staff, and we feel like Keith will be receptive and accept that as positive criticism and we hope and pray that we can make it an even better school,” he said.
In addition to the staff support, Markham noted that the recent Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test writing scores — which marked improvement at the school — and a positive review from the Southern Association of Schools and Colleges, helped him in the decision.
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FInally....a great decision wrote on May 16, 2008 6:55 AM: