JAY — Stephen Knowlton will leave his position as the assistant principal over guidance at Pace High School to become Jay High School’s principal.
The school’s current principal, Brad Marcilliat, recently decided to retire.
News of the transition broke during this week’s Santa Rosa County School Board meeting. Filling in for Superintendent Tim Wyrosdick, Assistant Superintendent Joey Harrell informed board members of Marcilliat’s decision to retire due to his wife’s health.
“Our thoughts are certainly with Brad and his wife,” Harrell said. “(Marcilliat) is a good person who always keeps kids first.”
Marcilliat, who said in an email he decided to retire about a month ago, said he is proud of his school and the entire community.
“I am proud of the working relationship we have developed here in the school and community. Great teachers, great community,” he said. “They care, they are proud, and they hold high expectations of their students and their schools. Jay is truly a great place to be a part of.”
Knowlton said he is saddened to hear of Marcilliat’s situation, and considers Marcilliat a mentor and a close friend. However, the new principal is thankful for the board’s support following a unanimous vote regarding the superintendent’s recommendation for approval.
“This is a great honor for me, to be able to take on this responsibility up in Jay,” he said.
Knowlton said he has already met with Jay High School faculty and staff, which he said has “welcomed him with open arms.”
One of those members is Athletic Director Lance Youngblood.
“We look forward to working with him,” Youngblood said. “He has got a passion for kids, he has got a passion for education, so everything we have heard of Steve Knowlton is positive.”
Marcilliat said he knows Knowlton will do an excellent job as the school’s new principal.
“(Knowlton) is knowledgeable, he cares, and his heart is in the right place,” he said.
Marcilliat also left some words of advice.
“Best advice: jump on board and get involved with everything this great school and community have to offer,” he said.
“Also, to always remember to keep kids first. When decisions are made on what’s best for our students, it is very easy to defend those decisions.”
Knowlton told the board he hopes to follow in Marcilliat’s footsteps.
“I felt at home as I went up there,” he said. “I had visited there a few times as a coach (and as an administrator) …
“I got the opportunity to see his pride when he walked around the school; he served them well, and I hope I can do the same.”
This article originally appeared on Santa Rosa Press Gazette: Knowlton named Jay principal