SALISBURY — Dr. James Davis is leaving Knox Middle School after one year as principal, a Rowan-Salisbury School System official said.
Davis submitted his resignation today, spokeswoman Rita Foil said.
A former district principal of the year, Davis came to Knox in 2011 after three years as principal at China Grove Middle School.
Davis could not be reached for comment.
Davis is the third principal to leave Knox since 2008.
Rodney Burton stepped down in 2011, citing personal reasons, less than two years after taking the reins in October 2009.
Gerald MoragneEl also resigned from Knox, citing personal reasons, after one year.
School system officials had high hopes for Knox when Davis took over.
China Grove Middle made Adequate Yearly Progress under the federal No Child Left Behind program for the first time during his tenure. Knox has not reached that goal since the program began in 2003.
Davis acknowledged the challenges at Knox and said he had plans to improve student achievement and discipline, among other things.
Just last week, Davis talked about new science, math and language courses being added at Knox for next school year in its transition to a science, technology, engineering and math focus.