School head resigns, cites 'personal family' needs

PATTON, Mo. -- The principal at Meadow Heights High School has resigned to attend to "personal family business," prompting a search for his replacement that may not be completed until this fall.

William Moss, 46, had been principal at Meadow Heights for two years when he resigned Dec. 17.

Moss, a former Marine and church pastor, declined to give specific details about his situation, but would say it was something he could not put off.

"I resigned due to personal issues that are very troubling to my family," said Moss, who cleaned out his office Wednesday. "I didn't feel I could perform my duties while I was taking care of this."

Moss said his situation, which involves a family member, would take him out of the state for an indefinite period of time.

An interim principal, Brian McKinney, has been hired to fill in for the remainder of the semester, but Meadow Heights superintendent Duane Schindler said he is accepting candidates for a full-time replacement.

Schindler said McKinney likely will not be the school's principal permanently because he only has an elementary school principal certificate. Schindler said he would prefer someone with a high school principal certificate.

Schindler would not comment on Moss' resignation, saying it is a personnel matter. Nevertheless, he said it's not a desirable situation.

"It is not ideal to try and replace a principal in the middle of the school year," Schindler said.

Schindler said he has received one application for the job, but he will be accepting them throughout the semester.

Moss was in education 15 years, primarily as a teacher. This was his first position as a principal.

smoyers@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 137