ST. VINCENT PRINCIPAL TO JACKSON

The principal of St. Vincent de Paul Grade School has announced she will leave to become principal of West Lane Elementary School in Jackson.

Judy Fisher, who has been principal at St. Vincent for the past two years, will take over as principal of the Jackson elementary school this fall.20She will also be principal of Millersville Attendance Center in Millersville.

Fisher said there were several reasons the job in Jackson attracted her.

"It just seemed like a good opportunity professionally, and I wanted to try it," said Fisher, who replaces Principal Stan Smee. Smee is being promoted to business manager of the Jackson School District.

Fisher said she also found the fewer number of students appealing.

St. Vincent houses grades kindergarten through eight, while West Lane will have grades four and five starting next year.

"Curriculum-wise, you're dealing with two grades instead of nine," said Fisher. "The student demands would be more focused than in a K through eight school."

Jackson School Superintendent Wayne Maupin said 11 candidates were interviewed for the position. "We felt she was best-suited to mesh with our program," said Maupin. "Based on her interview responses and her educational background, we felt she was the best for the job."

Fisher said she has met with some of the people at West Lane. "They seemed receptive, and I'm looking forward to working with them," she said.

"I have sadness about leaving St. Vincent," she said. "But I am looking forward to the challenge of the new job."