SHELBY — Students at Shelby Middle School will start the new school year with a new principal this fall.
Principal Jeff Eichorn announced at Shelby’s Board of Education meeting on Monday that he is leaving Shelby City Schools to accept a job within Lexington Local Schools in the fall. Eichorn will serve alongside Principal Kevin Young as Lexington High School’s assistant principal, pending board approval.
“We’ve had conversations with Jeff, and he decided to make a career move and quite frankly, I think it makes absolute sense for him to make this move,” said Shelby Superintendent Tim Tarvin. “It helps his family, it helps his career arc, and we wish him the best.”
Eichorn served as Shelby Middle School’s principal for the past six years. He is on the Lexington Board of Education agenda on June 28 for approval as the high school’s assistant principal, a two-year contract effective Aug. 1.
“I appreciate Mr. Tarvin giving me a chance six years ago, and the board for all of the support and leadership they’ve provided,” Eichorn said. “It’s been fantastic, I have nothing but wonderful things to say about Shelby City Schools, and like Mr. Tarvin said it’s an opportunity to spend more time with my family, and it’s a career move for myself in the process.”
Moving into Eichorn’s job at Shelby Middle School will be Barbara Green, who has served as Shelby Middle School’s assistant principal for the past two years. Green was approved for a three-year contract as the middle school principal at Shelby’s meeting on Monday, pending Eichorn’s approval at Lexington’s meeting on Wednesday.
“Barb has done a very nice job, she taught for me at the middle school as a language arts teacher and always could be relied upon, and had some keen insights into what’s going on in the building with regards to student behavior or curriculum issues,” Tarvin said. “I have no reason to doubt that she can step in there and do an excellent job.”
Tarvin noted the position of assistant middle school principal has yet to be filled, and a job posting will be posted on Tuesday morning. The Shelby district starts school again this fall on Aug. 21.
Eichorn also vouched for his former coworker, and thanked many people he worked with during his time as middle school principal.
“For the last two years that (Green) and I have worked together, it’s been probably the best two years of my educational career,” Eichorn said. “I appreciate all the help, it’s been a wonderful time here.”
