Principal Starling resigns

Alleghany High School Principal Juddson "Judd" Starling submitted a letter of resignation from his position July 28, according to Superintendent Jeff Cox. However, his resignation was not approved by the local school board until its July 31 meeting. Starling's last day with Alleghany County Schools was Aug. 1.

Starling took the position as AHS principal in July 2004 after the board of education unanimously voted to hire him in April 2004. Starling, a former assistant principal at Piedmont High School in Monroe, replaced Barbara Lyon, who had been at the helm of the high school since 2002.

Cox stated Starling accepted a job as a high school principal in Rowan County at South Rowan High School. His duties there began Aug. 2. South Rowan is a much larger school than Alleghany—it is a 4A school, while Alleghany is a 1A school.

Cox commented Starling took the job in China Grove seeing it as an opportunity to advance his career. "He just felt like that was a big step for him as far as his long-term career goals," Cox said.

"Another big factor for him is Rowan County is closer down to Union County, where he is from. I'm sure that was part of the appeal." According to Cox, Starling will be living on family property and commuting to work for the short term.

Cox pointed out the school system could have held Starling up to three months longer, but to help make the transition as clean as possible, the board opted to start off the school year with a new principal rather than change one or two months into the year.

"Plus for him, I think his teachers (at South Rowan High) start back next week," Cox said.

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