BY RACHEL DOVE
MOUNTAIN CITIZEN

INEZ — Jason James will serve as interim principal at Martin County High School for the remainder of the 2023-2024 school year after being appointed by Larry James, Superintendent of Martin County Schools.

The appointment follows the recent death of Principal Brian Charles.

Jason James, assistant principal at the high school since 2015, is a lifelong educator from Inez and the head coach of the boys basketball team. His full-time employment in the Martin County School District began as a special education teacher in 2012. Before that time, he worked in the district as a substitute teacher.

“Losing Brian was such a blow to the students and staff,” said Superintendent James. “When we advertised for that position following the retirement of Principal Martha Williams, we only received two applications – and it was a long process. We don’t have time for that now, especially since the school year is practically half over.”

Superintendent James said it would be difficult for students with the pain of losing their principal still fresh in their minds to bring in someone new.

“We want to make the transition as easy on students and staff as possible,” he said. “We felt the sensible thing to do at this point would be to appoint Jason to the position.”

Due to the superintendent and the interim principal being siblings, Jason James will not be able to apply for the full-time principal’s position when advertised, according to the superintendent. Jason James will resume his role as assistant when the new hire takes place. His salary will not increase while temporarily in the principal’s position.

The school district will advertise the vacancy in early spring, but finding someone as well respected and liked as Charles will not be an easy accomplishment.

“We may fill the position previously held by Brian, but we will never fill his shoes,” said Superintendent James. “Men like Brian are a rare breed and few and far between. We were blessed to have him leading our students for the time he was with us. For that, we will always be grateful.”