A new but familiar face will take over as principal of Pillager Elementary School for the 2017-18 school year.
Josh Smith, current Pillager High School principal, will take over the same position at the elementary school, following the retirement of current principal Wanda Bell. The district will then go through a hiring process for the open high school principal position, she said.
Bell has been with the school district for 22 years and has served as principal since 1998. She loves her job, she said, but it was time to make the difficult decision to retire. When asked what she'll miss the most, her answer was simple.
"Of course the kids," Bell said. "Their hugs and their smiles."
Smith has worked in the school district since 2002 and has been at the high school for two years. He worked as a fifth grade teacher under Bell from 2002-2008 and is excited to return to the elementary school environment, he said.
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"The energy level is obviously different at an elementary than it is at a high school," Smith said. "So I look forward to that."
Smith's relationship with Bell, both as a teacher and now fellow principal, will hopefully make for a smooth transition, he said.
"Certainly take the things that are going well and hopefully make them better," Smith said. "We certainly appreciate everything Wanda has done for the elementary school and we'll carry that on."
Smith is looking forward to reconnecting with colleagues he previously worked with at the elementary school, he said.
"We have a great teaching staff down there as well," Smith said. "Just as we do in the high school."
The Pillager School Board accepted Bell's retirement at its Feb. 13 board meeting.
