Salem School Board approves new leadership appointments
Scott Habeeb, left, and Debbie Carroll will assume their positions as principal at Salem High School and West Salem Elementary School, respectively, for the 2013-2014 school year. / Photo courtesy of Mike Stevens, City of Salem
New principals named at Salem High School and West Salem Elementary School
The Salem School Division is pleased to announce that Debbie Carroll and Scott Habeeb have been named principals at West Salem Elementary and Salem High School respectively. The formal board approval of their internal promotions was made official at last night’s School Board meeting. Both will begin developing transition plans with their current principals immediately and assume their new positions on July 1, 2013.
“The Salem City School Board is very excited about our unanimous decision to appoint Debbie Carroll as principal of West Salem Elementary School and Scott Habeeb as principal of Salem High School,” says Sally Southard, School Board Chair. “Both are exceptional educators who presented outstanding plans, including their visions and goals during their interviews.”
“Mrs. Carroll and Mr. Habeeb are both proven educators who have emerged as distinguished leaders during their careers in Salem City Schools,” says Dr. Alan Seibert, Salem Superintendent. “Their development and preparation for these opportunities can be attributed to many factors including the mentorship and guidance they have been given by the terrific principals who have facilitated their growth as leaders”
Carroll began her educational career in Salem as a teacher at G.W. Carver Elementary in 1989. She transitioned into administration when she moved to East Salem Elementary in 2004 to become an assistant principal. She has served in that same capacity at West Salem since 2010.
“I am thrilled and excited to be stepping into the role of principal of West Salem Elementary,” says Carroll. “It is a blessing to work with such a wonderful group of teachers, support staff, and families that truly put children first.”
Carroll takes over for Trula Byington, who has been an integral part of the Salem School Division as a teacher, administrator and role model since its inception in 1983. Byington served as principal at G.W. Carver Elementary from 1999-2010 and spent the last three years as the principal at West Salem Elementary.
“Trula Byington has been a mentor and friend to me for over 20 years and I have learned so much from her wisdom about children, education, and leadership,” says Carroll. “She has been one of the finest examples of a true professional in education. Trula has been an extraordinary role model as well as an inspiration to me throughout my career.”
–Submitted by Mike Stevens, City of Salem.
Check back here for more information about Salem High School principal John Hall‘s retirement.
February 27, 2013 - 3:00 PM
Principal retires last week and replacement hired this week? Makes me wonder if Salem got the right guy. Obviously the position was not part of a process to allow all interested individuals to apply.
He is just a temporary principal, right? Surely, they will thoroughly search for a principal with extensive administrative experience to replace the former Salem High Principal.
Nevermind. Looks like a done deal. Effective July 1, 2013. I misread. Guess they are always planning far in advance in Salem.
Mr. Habeeb was loved by the students when I was at Salem High. I’m sure that he is a great choice. Also, they give internal candidates first shot at open positions. He was a new teacher to SHS when I was there and I didn’t know a single student who didn’t like him. I think he will do a great job as principal.
Loved and liked does not mean he’s a qualified principal. It only means he’s a nice guy. That’s it.