Rick Patrick: Greene Publishing, Inc.
Citing personal family reasons, the new principal at Madison County High School (MCHS), Kip McLeod, has vacated the position. McLeod's recommendation for the job has caused a firestorm of controversy since before the School Board voted to approve his appointment on a 3-2 vote during the Tuesday, June 6 meeting of the Madison County District School Board. VeEtta Hagan and Reginald Davis were the two School Board members who voted against his confirmation. Despite his confirmation, several citizens continued to voice opposition to McLeod's appointment. The vocal opposition to McLeod was not confined to School Board meetings. Many people took to social media in order to express their opposition to McLeod.
The stated opposition to McLeod was that Hamilton County High School's grade did not improve above a “D” during the time McLeod was principal at that school.
According to Madison County Superintendent of Schools Dr. Karen Pickles, McLeod submitted a letter of resignation on Wednesday, June 28, saying that he “could not put his family through this [turmoil].” McLeod expressed reluctance to “go where [he] was not wanted.”
Because of a lack of time to fill the position, Pickles has decided to fill the position with a candidate already within the Madison County school system. If Pickles were to try to fill the position from outside the school system, the School Board would first have to approve the resignation of McLeod, then approve advertising the open position before going through the application, interview, and confirmation process over again. Pickles will recommend former Greenville Elementary School Principal Geraldine Wildgoose to take over as principal at MCHS. According to Pickles, Wildgoose does meet the requirements for the MCHS principal position. Wildgoose will still need to be approved by the School Board. It is expected the Board will vote on the Wildgoose recommendation during the next School Board meeting.
The next meeting of the Madison County District School Board is scheduled for Monday, July 17, at 6 p.m. The School Board meets at the district school office, located at 210 NE Duval Ave., in Madison.