Vienna High School principal announces resignation

By Colin Willard, Staff Writer
Posted 2/1/23

VIENNA — Vienna High School Principal Ian Murray provided a letter of resignation to the Maries R-1 School Board at the Jan. 24 meeting. His resignation is effective at the conclusion of the …

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Vienna High School principal announces resignation

Posted

VIENNA — Vienna High School Principal Ian Murray provided a letter of resignation to the Maries R-1 School Board at the Jan. 24 meeting. His resignation is effective at the conclusion of the 2022-2023 school year.

“It is with great sadness that I submit this letter of resignation,” Murray read. “An opportunity has come up in a neighboring district that I cannot pass up. I’ve learned so much over the past 15 years and built many great relationships with the students, staff, administration, members of the board of education and this community. I’m a firm believer that if you love what you do you’ll never work a day in your life. I can say that I have worked very few days over the past 2,850 days, which is a true testament to the overwhelming support I have received in my tenure here.

“To the teachers and administration, it has been a privilege working with you all. Everyone’s enthusiasm and dedication for student learning has been superb. I witnessed all of you at one time or another going out of your way to make a difference in students’ lives. I know not all appreciate your efforts, but I always appreciated them.

“To the board of education, I want to thank you all, and the ones before you that I worked with. All of you have treated me with the utmost respect and dignity. Several of you have made huge impacts on my life, and I will never forget that. It’s been an honor working with you and your school.

“Last but not least, to the students: Students, you have taught me so much, and I have so many memories from you. I hope I never forget them. I think that you all know that all I ever wanted for you was to be successful and to do your best. Some of you needed a little more encouragement along the way, and I hope you know I did it because I cared.”

Murray said he wished nothing but the best for the high school and the community.

“On behalf of the board, I would like to thank you for what you’ve done for our district,” board president Vicki Bade said. “Words are not enough, but we do thank you.”

She made a motion to accept Murray’s resignation “with regret.” The motion passed.

Murray also gave a report of recent and upcoming high school events to the board.

In January, the high school conducted practice exams for upcoming End of Course (EOC) exams. Murray said that the purpose of the test was not only to gather data on how students are doing ahead of the April tests but also to curb test anxiety.

“A lot of that test anxiety comes with the students as far as where we’re testing and what it’s going to look like,” he said. “We did an exact test replica this past month down in the gym with the tables, Chromebooks, etc. It all went very well. The teachers are working on getting the data back from that so we have a general idea of where we stand.”

He plans for another practice EOC in March.

Murray said he had started working on class offerings for the next school year. He said once he completes the slate of course offerings, he will share them with the board. He plans to have students begin signing up for classes in mid-February.

Murray recognized the speech team for winning the meet they hosted on Jan. 14.

The middle school will have its Sweetheart Dance on Feb. 11. Other important dates include prom on April 15, graduation on May 14, eighth-grade promotion on May 16 and the last day of school on May 17.