VIENNA — The search for Vienna High School’s next principal ended on March 6 at a special meeting of the Maries R-1 School Board.

Superintendent Teresa Messersmith recommended that the board vote to hire Tim Metcalf as the new high school principal beginning next year. The board approved a one-year contract at a starting salary of $70,000.

Tim Metcalf has worked as the assistant principal at St. James Middle School for the last two years. Before that, he spent 17 years running the St. James district’s alternative school.

“I am most excited about the family atmosphere and closeness of the staff,” he later told The Advocate. “I am a relationships guy and feel that a great school culture contributes to the success of the school. From the moment I walked through the front doors, I could feel the positive, supportive culture. I had the opportunity to speak with teachers, students, administrators and cafeteria workers while in the building, and everyone made me feel at home. Although I have never known anything other than St. James, I can tell that Vienna will be a great place for myself and my family.”

The board also hired Tim’s wife Natalie Metcalf as a first-grade teacher at the elementary school. She has many years of experience teaching kindergarten, first-grade, second-grade and fifth-grade classes.

Later, the board accepted the resignations of three staff members. All of them are effective at the end of the school year.

First, Messersmith read a letter of resignation from Cory Nicholson, who is the district’s athletic director, physical education teacher and head baseball coach. He has accepted a position at the New Franklin school district.

“I’m incredibly thankful for the opportunity I’ve had here,” Nicholson said in his letter. “I’ve taught and coached some awesome kids as well as worked with many great people.

Next, Messersmith read a resignation letter from first-grade teacher Macie Parsons. She plans to teach in Rolla.

“Being a first-year teacher at Maries R-1 has been amazing, and I will never forget how much I have learned and grown this past year,” Parsons said in her letter.

The last letter came from third-grade teacher Mandy Mickem. She accepted a job with a district that is closer to her home.

“I will truly miss my Vienna school family and a place that has come to feel like home,” Mickem said in her letter.

Messersmith also read a short letter from Kevin Schwartze that said he had decided to step down as the head coach of the Lady Eagles basketball team.