Thompson resigns
Stephanie Thompson has resigned from her principal position at Farragut High School.
The announcement came Friday, June 3, in a Farragut Parent-Teacher-Student Organization newsletter, Bypass the Backpack.
“Ms. Thompson has been appointed as principal at the Byington Solway Career and Technical Education Center,” Dr. James “Jim” McIntyre, Knox County Schools superintendent, said Friday. “As we seek to make Byington Solway a truly outstanding 21st century CTE school, there is no better person to lead that effort than Stephanie Thompson.”
Thompson began her educational career as a CTE teacher in business education.
“Her unique set of skills and leadership experience make her a perfect fit for this important position,” McIntyre said. “While it is a huge loss for Farragut High School, Ms. Thompson’s transition to Byington Solway will be of significant benefit to the Knox County Schools.
“We will certainly work diligently to find a great leader of Ms. Thompson’s caliber to succeed her at Farragut High School. “
Thompson has not responded to repeated attempts to contact her. Cheryl Hickman, Knox County Schools executive director of secondary education, set a parent meeting for 6 p.m. Monday, June 6, in the library of FHS library to give parents an opportunity to give feedback on the next principal.
“We’re sad to see her go,” Jerry Martin, FHS Education Foundation president, said of Thompson. “She had family and health concerns. She is going to take another position in Knox County Schools.”
Martin said her position to resign was a surprise to him.
“We already began scheduling for next year,” he said. “We obviously don’t like changing principals so quickly, but we have a good administrative team at Farragut High School. I have a lot of confidence in the administrative team and teachers. They will be able to handle everything until a new principal is in place.”
“We hate to see her go but sometimes your health is more important,” Don Dodgen, FHS athletic director, said. “In the two years I’ve worked with her, I’ve enjoyed working with her.”
