Clay Co Principal Upchurch Stepping Down

Clay County High School Principal Derick Upchurch is stepping down.

School Director Matt Eldridge said Upchurch held the position for over three years. Eldridge said Upchurch stepped up to the position after the previous principal retired from 30 years of service.

“I’ve asked him every way in the world if he’d wanted to stay, and he doesn’t,” Eldridge said. “The reason is his family. He’s got two small boys, and they like to see him at home. When you’re the principal of that high school, you spend all your time at that high school. I don’t blame him a bit.”

After 15 years as Hermitage Springs principal, John Denton will move to the central office. Eldridge said he’s excited for Denton’s new position.

“He’s going to do some of the attendance programs where the state requires us to send letters out,” Eldridge said. “He’ll probably do some of the bus routes, do some of the things like that. John does a great job.”

Replacement principals have already been hired at the high school and Hermitage Springs. Eldridge said he hopes the future for the county’s schools are bright.

“We’re trying to keep administrators as much as we can and work with them and work with young teachers and get them into administrating training programs so we can keep administrators in hand,” Eldridge said “That’s one of the things in the Upper Cumberland  that’s been an issue, there’s not as many people getting into administration as there were in years past.”