The principals at South Rowan High School and Granite Quarry Elementary School have announced their resignations.
Juddson Starling has held the top post at South Rowan High for the past two years. He has recently accepted a principal's position in South Carolina, said Delores Morris, assistant superintendent of human resources for the Rowan-Salisbury School System.
Starling is traveling out of the country and could not be reached for comment Wednesday. But Morris said Starling lives in Union County.
"It's closer to his home," Morris said of Starling's new job.
Before coming to South, Starling had served as the principal at Alleghany High School and as an assistant principal at a Union County high school. He had also worked as a social studies teacher in Union County.
At Granite Quarry Elementary, Dr. Mary Ann Karriker is leaving after six years as principal.
Karriker has accepted a job as director of K-5 curriculum for Iredell-Statesville Schools.
"It's bittersweet," she said of her departure from the school.
Karriker said she will miss the students and parents at Granite Quarry Elementary. But her new job, she said, will allow her to help other principals.
"It's a chance to exercise new skills," she said.
Before coming to Granite Quarry Elementary, Karriker worked in Chowan County.
North Principal to South??? : Monday, July 07, 2008 11:25 PM
Hearing that the principal from North Rowan has shown an interest in becoming the next principal at South Rowan. Also....Vanhoy and Knox will not become the next leader at South Rowan.
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Why are they Leaving? : Monday, July 07, 2008 4:52 PM
Petticoat Junction here we come! There have plenty more changes besides South and Granite Quarry....someone asleep at the wheel at The Post??
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Response to Mr. Starling : Monday, July 07, 2008 4:47 PM
Yes, but if you want to be at a place, you would probably make sacrifices to remain. Face it, he probably was not treated fairly like some other RSS employees.
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Mr. Starling : Monday, July 07, 2008 3:32 PM
Mr. Starling probably didn't know that gas prices were going to reach over $4.00 when he became principal over two years ago.
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Applicant Process? : Saturday, July 05, 2008 8:44 PM
What is the process for selecting a new principal? Do interested applicants apply or are they pre-selected by the board? My vote is for Vanhoy at South Rowan but Knox would be a great choice.
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Response to RSS Insider : Saturday, July 05, 2008 7:36 AM
AMEN! AMEN! AMEN! We already have quality in RSS so why would she (Dr. Grissom) possibly think about recruiting another female from Alamance County. I wonder if Mr. Starling left for reasons other than the driving distance. He knew about the driving distance when he came two years ago. Did he experience problems from the system's leadership or school board? Why are people consistently leaving RSS? This is really something to think about. Are all employees treated fairly? Several principal positions have had to be filled since Grissom came to RSS. She has not been here very long. What's wrong?
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RSS Insider
Another Alamance Transplant for Rowan? : Friday, July 04, 2008 8:20 AM
Mr. Starling is a great principal and a fine man. South was lucky to have him. I'd be surprised if Dr. Grissom hasn't already picked another female from Alamance county to take the reigns. I'm not sexist, and RSS has some great female principals - but am I the only who has noticed her tendency to install as many Alamance female administrators as possible? Dr. Grissom: If we thought Alamance County Schools were that good, we'd all move to Burlington. Welcome to Rowan. Please remember where you are.
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To Don Knox Fan: : Friday, July 04, 2008 8:14 AM
I agree 100% that Don Knox is VERY deserving. He was a great assistant pricipal at South and would mave a great head man.
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Don Knox fan
South Needs Don Knox : Friday, July 04, 2008 5:29 AM
Don Knox (North High)would be the BEST choice for South Rowan. He has been overlooked by the administration too many times and is very deserving of the top job. His rapport with the community is tremendous and he is great with kids. We shouldn't continue to hold back those that are deserving while we bring in those from outside of the system. It sends a horrible message to those that have worked so hard within the school system and who get the job done when you bring in others from outside of the system. If Don Knox is not an option, then it's time for Alan King to come out of retirement.
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Mr. Vanhoy : Thursday, July 03, 2008 11:08 PM
Mr Vanhoy was my history teacher at EAst in '83. He is a wonderful teacher! Congrats to whoever gets him.
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: Thursday, July 03, 2008 10:45 PM
When ever school employees feel the heat they move on because they know they can. At that level, if you still stink you will always stink. For them It's not about making a difference in childrens lives. It's about your lack of ability to put up with parents who care and those parents who are over the top. Those are the ones who have nothing better to do but complain. Being a principal is a tough job. Just think about all the less than adequately educated parents they have to deal with.
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Good Ridance Ms. Karriker : Thursday, July 03, 2008 9:05 PM
To bad she couldnt have left when my two children were at Granite Quarry. She has no business working anywhere with children. Granite was fine until 'she' came along, and then it was all downhill. I feel sorry for Iredell Schools, but Granite Elementary has a lot to cheer about now!!
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Response to CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!! : Thursday, July 03, 2008 6:25 PM
Well, I'm told test scores matter. If the schools don't show significant growth, the leadership is blamed, and they are watched under a microscope. I can understand her concern for better scores. Wouldn't you? It's just a shame that teaching and learning is more about test scores than life. Again, good luck Dr. Karriker. I'm sure your experience will be valued in Iredell-Statesville Schools. We have directors here that have never served as lead principals, but yet they are telling seasoned principals what to do. Isn't that amazing.
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Rick Vanhoy to South Rowan : Thursday, July 03, 2008 3:10 PM
I understand why you would want to keep Rick Vanhoy at East, he is a fine leader but he belongs at South Rowan. He lives just down the street from South and I just beleive that he wants to become a Raider again. Mr. Vanhoy is one of those jewels RSS has in waiting, he's the kind of principal who will one day get a stadium named after him or somthing like that.
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TO "What's next for South Rowan" : Thursday, July 03, 2008 2:25 PM
Rick Vanhoy is staying at EAST! He is one of the best we've ever had.
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TO "CONGRATULATIONS"????? : Thursday, July 03, 2008 2:02 PM
I agree with you tremendously. Dr. Karriker was a great person, but I truly don't think she was "cut out" for a leadership role, especially in an elementary school. All she cared about was making her scores, not a relationship with the children. I don't think she could even name 50 of the kids she "taught" the 6 years she was principal. Hopefully GQES can succeed without her.
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What's next for South Rowan? : Thursday, July 03, 2008 1:56 PM
As long as South Rowan does't get Ron Turbyfield back they may be okay. Turbyfield was the worst principal South has ever seen. I would throw a name like Don Bost, Don Knox, or Rick Vanhoy into the hat of being the next South Rowan pricipal.
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CONGRATULATIONS?????????? : Thursday, July 03, 2008 11:43 AM
To "congratulations", you obviously did not have a child attending Granite Quarry Elementary School during Karriker's reign. Granite Quarry used to be a great school, but went downhill significantly after Karriker became principal. I am a parent who put three children through that school, was very active in the PTA and volunteering at the school, and experienced first-hand disappointment after disappointment once Karriker came on board. I am so glad we are finally out, although now the school actually stands a chance to get back its good name. The school needs someone who truly cares about the students, staff and parents, and not someone who patronizes, acts above everyone else, and is worried only about "numbers" and making herself look important. Instead of congratulating Karriker, I say Congratulations Granite Quarry Elementary School, I wish all the best for you.
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Congratulations Dr. Karriker!! : Thursday, July 03, 2008 10:28 AM
I would like to congratulate Dr. Karriker on her new position. Your experience as a "lead principal" makes you more than qualified to help and direct elementary principals. I've always been taught that experience is the best teacher. I wish you the best!!! From what I heard, Rowan-Salisbury Schools is really losing a jewel. You've done a miraculous job at Granite Quarry Elementary School. I would also like to congratulate Mr. Starling in his new position. I can understand why you left RSS. Best Wishes!!!
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Ouch : Thursday, July 03, 2008 7:50 AM
Starling was the best principal at South Rowan since James Donnell. I sure hate to see him leave, he was great for the school, he was stern and required discipline and was great for the athletic program.
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Love of history: Teacher's ability to reach students leads to honor
