Beech Tree News Network

During a called meeting on Friday afternoon, the Morgantown Elementary Site-Based Decision Making Council principal selection committee voted unanimously to hire current Assistant Principal Chad Flener as the school's new principal.  Flener will replace long-time Principal Greg Woodcock, who is retiring at the end of the fall term.  Flener worked for several years as a teacher at Morgantown Elementary before becoming assistant principal in 2010. He will assume his new responsibilities as principal with the beginning of the spring term in January 2015. 

"I am incredibly honored and humbled to be given this opportunity by the Morgantown Elementary SBDM Council and Superintendent Scott Howard," said Flener.  "When Mr. Woodcock hired me as a teacher 15 years ago, I made it my long-term goal to become principal of Morgantown Elementary.  Today, that goal has become reality."

Members of the M.E.S SBDM principal selection committee were teachers Melissa Rose, Nickie West, Stephanie Shirley, and Katrina Sitz, along with parent members Jon Hunt and Sandra Gill.  Superintendent Scott Howard was also a member of the committee.  

"I want to congratulate Mr. Flener and I appreciate all the work of the council," said Superintendent Scott Howard. 

Flener had nothing but words of praise for the person he is replacing - Greg Woodcock. 

"I am grateful that Mr. Woodcock allowed me to nurture my leadership abilities, which eventually led to his hiring me as assistant principal at Morgantown Elementary four and a half years ago.  Mr. Woodcock’s announcement of retirement provided me the possibility of realizing my dream," said Flener.  "Mr. Woodcock has been a huge asset to our school and to Morgantown and Butler County.  The legacy that he leaves behind is a group of teachers and staff that are fully devoted to the education and success of the students of Morgantown Elementary."

Looking ahead to the future, Flener believes the students, teachers, staff and entire M.E.S. community are among the school's greatest strengths.  

"I am excited to be continuing  with that same devoted group of teachers and staff as I become the next principal of Morgantown Elementary," said Flener.  "I also look forward to working alongside students,  parents, and other stakeholders to move students toward academic proficiency and to lead them in becoming productive, responsible, citizens of our community and beyond."

The process will begin in the coming weeks to fill the soon-to-be vacant position of assistant principal at Morgantown Elementary.   

* * * 

Story by John Embry, Beech Tree News.