Pickett Principal Retires Mid-Year

Pickett County High School Principal Mitch Buckman has decided to retire mid-school year.

Director of Schools Diane Elder said Buckman had been dealing with some health issues which ultimately led to his decision to retire. Elder said she was not surprised when Buckman made his decision.

“No it was not,” Elder said. “He had told us that he was planning on retiring mid-year if everything worked out okay and it did, so he has retired.”

Elder said Buckman spent the last five years as the high school’s principal. Elder said Buckman was a pleasure to work with and that he will be missed.

“He and I had a mutual agreement to be very honest with each other right up front and to always share what we felt about issues,” Elder said. “He was always very good to work with. I have to say I appreciate his professionalism over the years.”

Elder said Assistant Principal Vickie Crawford will serve as the interim principal.

“I guess you could say we are plugging in a gap until the end of the school year,” Elder said. “But we did have an assistant principal Vickie Crawford who has offered to step up and take the role as a principal for the remainder of the year and I’m sure she will do well in that position.”

Elder said the school board will discuss how to move forward with hiring a new principal once the school year ends.