Fayette High School principal Ross Dobson announced last week he will leave after the current academic year to be the new middle and high school principal in New Franklin starting in the fall.

A native of New Franklin, Dobson graduated high school there in 2006 and later returned to teach middle school math and coach basketball. He has been the principal in Fayette the last two years.

Other recent departures from the Fayette school district personnel include activities director and softball coach Mike James, and high school boys’ basketball coach Jon Bishop. James will retire after this year, and Bishop is moving to a different school.

Fayette non-traditional learning center teacher Garth Menees will assume the role of activities director next year. Former FHS coach Brandon Friebe will return as the boys’ basketball coach starting next fall. He previously coached the high school boys from 2004 to 2008.

In addition, elementary/middle school secretary Lisa Gebhardt will take over as District Bookkeeper next year, replacing Jackie Besgrove, who is retiring.

During the Board of Education’s meeting on March 20, members approved the hirings of Jorah Wilt (4th grade), Oliva Hukel (5th grade), Libby Rice (1st grade), and Jessica Howell, (5th grade).

The Board of Education in February gave majority approval to grant two-year contracts for elementary principal Samie Hill, and middle school principal Abby Arnett, along with Dobson, and extended contracts for  Special Education Process Coordinator Melissa Duren and Curriculum Director Cheri Huster.

The district still has openings for the following positions: 5th Grade, DES Focus Room, CMS English Language Arts, CMS Science, CMS Science/Math, FHS Math, FHS English Language Arts, and FHS Business.