JACKSON – Principals new and old were greeted by the Northampton County Board of Education recently.

At the last meeting of the Board, principals were introduced (see related story, this page) to the school board and the members of that body took a few moments to lay out their hopes for the upcoming year.

&uot;We welcome you – new and returning principals,&uot; board member Grace Edwards said. &uot;Welcome to leadership roles in your schools. We expect great things from you.

&uot;We want you to continue to provide an opportunity for every child to learn,&uot; she added.

Charles Tyner, a board member who served as a principal in the district, drew on his experience.

&uot;We need to make sure we understand organization in our schools,&uot; Tyner insisted. &uot;You do your job. If something comes to me from the community, I’m going to send them back to you.&uot;

Tyner also said he would visit the schools, but never wanted to interfere with their work.

&uot;When I come to your school, you continue to do your work,&uot; he said.

The board member also said he was pleased with the work the principals did in 2005-2006.

&uot;It’s good to have schools where 80-90 percent of students are learning,&uot; he closed.

Board member Roland Whitted’s advice was succinct, &uot;Keep up the good work.&uot;

For her part, board member Barbara Stephenson said she thought the administrators were &uot;a fine group.&uot;

&uot;You are the leaders of your building and we want you to be that,&uot; Stephenson said. &uot;We also want you all to be team players.&uot;

Stephenson also urged the principals to be there for parents.

Newly seated board member Don Johnson said he had always been proud of Northampton County Schools, but urged the principals to continue their growth.

&uot;I want to be as proud if not prouder,&uot; he said. &uot;It’s good to see the caliber of people sitting in front of us.&uot;

Vice Chairman Bill Little told the principals he expected them to be the site managers of their school and said the board would look to them.

&uot;You are the site managers and just to be blunt about it, we’re going to hold you responsible just as the voting public holds us responsible,&uot; he said. &uot;You busted your humps last year and it paid off.&uot;

Board chairwoman Catherine Moody called the principals &uot;captain&uot; of their ships.

&uot;If the ship sinks, who will get the blame,&uot; she asked. &uot;Those of you who are new, get to know the people who are going to help you keep your ship afloat.&uot;

Each board member congratulated the principals on their appointments and wished them success in the coming year.