Former FHS principal to return to role as interim

A national search for a new principal position will begin in January.

FAYETTEVILLE — Leadership of Fayetteville High School is set to undergo a transition in the next school year.

Fayetteville High School Principal Chad Scott has been recommended to a new role as the district’s executive director of student services for the school district, beginning July 1, the School District announced in a news release Wednesday. The change is subject to approval by the School Board.

Scott became the principal in July 2015, following the retirement of Steve Jacoby from that position.

Jacoby, who was the high school principal from 2010 to 2015, remained with the district as a director in the division of teaching and learning, but beginning July 1, he will return to Fayetteville High School as its interim principal, according to the news release. The change in Jacoby’s duties also is pending School Board approval.

A national search for a new principal position will begin in January.

Duties of the executive director of student services will include creating and implementing plans to increase the graduation rate, decrease the dropout rate and improve daily attendance; investigating student discipline procedures; and assisting with crisis planning. Other responsibilities will include monitoring indicators for student success and assisting in closing achievement gaps.

Before being principal of Fayetteville High School, Scott was principal and assistant principal at Bentonville High School. He also was an assistant principal in Springdale School District.

Joy Shirley has been the district’s director of student services, focusing on working with social workers, guidance counselors and on meeting needs of students with disabilities, spokesman Alan Wilbourn said. She’ll continue to work with those services.

Wendt also has selected Lisa Davis, an assistant principal at Sonora Middle School in Springdale School District, as the new McNair Middle School principal, pending School Board approval. Current Principal Michelle Hayward will begin a new role July 1 as executive director of elementary and middle level education, a change approved by the School Board in May.

Davis from 2012 to 2016 was at McNair as a Project Lead the Way and instructional technology coach.