Students returning to class at Ironton Middle School met their new principal this week.

Thursday, August 24, 2000

Students returning to class at Ironton Middle School met their new principal this week.

Matt McCorkle, a former principal in Portsmouth city schools, accepted the Ironton school’s head job Monday after Ironton Board of Education members approved superintendent Steve Kingery’s reccomendation.

The principal’s job became available earlier this month when former principal Bill Dressel accepted the district’s assistant superintendent’s position.

Dressel, a longtime Ironton educator, replaces former assistant superintendent Susan Heyard. Mrs. Heyard resigned this summer to accept a position with Dawson-Bryant Schools. Her last official day in Ironton was Aug. 1.

The district posted the assistant superintendent’s position and advertised, then collected applications before hiring Dressel at the Aug. 11 board meeting, Kingery said.

"Bill has worked for the district for a number of years and will do us a good job," he said.

But, Dressel’s move to the board office meant a principal’s vacancy at the middle school just before school started, which prompted the district to post and advertise that position.

The board met Monday to discuss Kingery’s recommendations, which resulted in McCorkle’s hiring.

The board has requested to hold its next regular meeting Sept. 25 at Ironton Middle School, giving members chance to meet the new principal.