Decaturish is reporting that Renfroe Middle School Principal Derrick Thomas sent a note to parents this morning announcing he’s taken a principal job in the Henry County school system. Here’s the letter as it was posted on Decaturish…
May 12, 2015
Dear Renfroe Middle School Families and Friends,
I was offered a Principal position in the Henry County Public Schools District and have decided to accept it. This decision was an emotional one for me as I have come to know Renfroe and the Decatur Community as my family.
Everyday for the past seven years, I have had the privilege to work with the finest students any Principal could ask for. I am truly blessed for my experiences at Renfroe Middle School, the best middle school in the state of Georgia! I want to thank each and every one of you for your continuous support and entrusting me with your children. I have formed many relationships with families and community members and I will cherish the many memories I have made during my tenure. Renfroe will always hold a special place in my heart.
Let me assure you that I will continue to serve as your Principal throughout the remainder of our school year. Our Superintendent, Dr. Edwards, will be working with the Renfroe School Leadership Team to find a new Principal who will lead Renfroe Middle School.
Again, I can’t say enough how grateful I am for my time at Renfroe. I will certainly miss my staff, the parents, and community members. However, more than anything I will miss my students. I have watched them grow up right before my eyes just like I’ve watched my own children and I am truly amazed at the growth my students have made over the years. They have truly impacted my life and for that, I am forever grateful.
Please accept my sincere thanks and appreciation as I embark upon this new endeavor in my career.
Sincerely,
Derrick L. Thomas
That is a shame. Mr Thomas is a true gentleman to deal with. I know he lives and drives from Henry county every day. I am sure that is a big part of his descision.
Yes, this is a big loss for Decatur. Mr. Thomas truly cares about his students and believes in genuine family engagement. I hope that a thorough and open search occurs for a principal who is another great fit. Renfroe used to be the weak link in CSD and now is one of its strongest assets. We don’t want to lose that.
Mr. Thomas you will missed tremendously and I wish him the very best. Thank you
Houston we have a problem or several
The growth of kids in our schools
Decatur Schools, Running Out of Space
Decatur High and Renfroe Expansions up in the air
Superintendent Phyllis Edwards Is Resigning
Renfroe Principal Announces He’s Leaving at End of School Year
Keep it up, William! If enough people are convinced our schools are in crisis, the first three problems will solve themselves and we’ll just need to find new leadership.
We all need to learn from Seattle-ites who go on and on about the rain in an attempt to deter Californians from moving in; we need to tell anyone who will listen that our schools are a mess and we’re planning to move to Dunwoody. 😉
+ ∞
SavvyShopper, that comment is just crazy. Why would you want to artificially bash our school system. I assume you are in the camp that people should not move here, that no more old homes should be re-developed and that our little 4 square mile area should have a fence raised around it.
It is just crazy how people cannot just except that Decatur is changing or has changed. It is going to continue to change and for the better. Frustrating, so many families love this city, love the schools, enjoy the restaurants and festivals. Just a crazy suggestion! Trust me you are in the minority of the main population of Decatur. Many on this blog fall in your camp but the general population of Decatur do not.
I have a rising 6th grader and am sad to see the leadership change at Renfroe. I have heard nothing but good things about the school. I hope that the team there will maintain their levels and wish him the best of luck in his new path.
Uhh… I think that was a joke/sarcasm. Way to overreact, dude.
Sorry. I guess the winking emoticom was too subtle. 😉
Yes, my family is sorry to see Mr. Thomas go. He was a great partner to parents and neighbors and brought a nicely balanced discipline approach to students. Since the school is in such a state of flux, I hope that the (future) search team seriously seeks out opinions of parents as to what kind of administrator is needed in these crazy years to come.
I believe that the system charter requires that the School Leadership Team be involved with the selection of the principal. Cannot remember whether it’s an advisory or approval role. Perhaps the SLT could collaborate with the search team to have an integral role in eliciting and organizing parent and teacher input rather than just having a passive, last-step role of thumbs up/down.