Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

New principal is moving in

Jeff Fairris is preparing to get started on his new job as Prescott High School principal. Fairris was hired after the previous principal, Carroll Purtle, announced his resignation effective at the end of the 2006 school year.

Fairris attended the commencement exercises and the June 5 meeting of the Prescott School Board.

While he hasnt gotten officially moved into the principals office, Fairris said hell be getting moved in over the next few weeks.

Fairris has most recently been employed by the Bradley School District where he served as high school principal for the past two years. Prior to that, he was principal at Carthage for grades kindergarten through 12 until the consolidation of that district.

Fairris said he likes southern Arkansas. His wife, Kelli, is originally from Friendship - making Prescott that much more attractive to the Fairris family.

I drove through southwest Arkansas about five years ago, Fairris said. I loved it.

Fairris said the town of Prescott helped him make the decision to accept the position as high school principal.

When you come into town, the yards are clean and the houses looked neat, Fairris said. People look like they take pride in themselves.

Both Jeff and Kelli Fairris cited the positive attitudes theyve encountered among the people. Kelli said local business people have been helpful and friendly. She said she was also impressed by the fact that several graduating seniors had taken time to introduce themselves to the incoming principal, even though they wouldnt be attending school under his leadership.

The attitudes of students was another positive point, according to Jeff Fairris.

The kids are well behaved and polite, he said.

The actions of students is tied to how students are doing academically, according to Fairris.

There are two things you cant separate, he said. One is academics and the other is how to act and become a responsible citizen, which is learned through extra curricular activities.

He said that list of activities includes many things, including - but not limited to - sports.

The key to helping students reach their full potential is cooperation, Fairris said. He said that cooperation reaches well past the students and teachers to include school staff, parents, local businesses and the community.

Youve got to get tehm all working together for the high school, Fairris said. If they dont work together, you might as well close the doors.

The school board recently approved the hiring of Kelli Fairris as a teacher in the district. The couple are working on making the move to Prescott along with their three children - Rachael, 15, Dylan, 12 and Devan, 8.