After a lengthy search, Goshen High School has found its next principal, this after the Pike County Board of Education approved a new hire Monday.

Dr. Warren Weeks will come to Goshen from Calhoun (Ga.) City Schools, where he previously held the position of assistant superintendent.

Weeks has strong ties to the Pike County area, as he graduated from then Troy State University with a master’s degree in leadership. Weeks’ parents also currently live in Enterprise.

Weeks said he was attracted to the job not only because of his strong local ties but also because of his desire to be a part of the Goshen community.

“I am just so excited right now,” Weeks said. “Goshen is a close-knit community. It’s a community where I feel comfortable. They have a lot of down to earth, hard-working people in Goshen who will come out and support the school system. It’s a great place to raise a family, and I’m looking forward to being there. It’s great to be an Eagle.”

Pike County Schools superintendent Dr. Mark Bazzell said Weeks’ strong record of experience was one of the main qualities that impressed the Board.

“He has served in virtually all capacities within a school board,” Bazzell said. “He has ties to this area, and I feel like he will do a good job.”

Weeks said he will place an emphasis on serving the people of Goshen in any way he can.

“I’m an approachable person,” Weeks said. I want to hear from people, and I’m going to do all that I can to help them. My number one goal is to have a 100 percent graduation rate there, and I’m going to do all I can to make that happen.”

The board approved the hire by a vote of 4-1, with board member Earnest Green opposed.

Green declined to comment on his vote.

Now Weeks will focus on relocating to Pike County as soon as possible.

“I’ll be in the area Tuesday to sign some paperwork, and I’ll be in Goshen just as quick as I can get my things down here,” Weeks said. “Things are going to move real fast, and there’s a lot to do before school starts. There’s a lot I’d like to get done physically there on the campus, and of course I have to meet the teachers and the personnel, so I’m just real excited to get started.”

The board also approved the participation of the school system in a pilot Alabama HIPPY program, which is a preschool program.

“We had applied several times for grants and those had not been fruitful,” Bazzell said. “But, through a cooperation and partnership with Troy City Schools, he will be able to start this pilot program that will be fully funded with federal funds.”

The HIPPY program will be established at Pike County Elementary School, and will be open to 4-year-olds.

“We hope that by showing the initiative with this pilot program, we can establish a permanent program here,” Bazzell said.

With just a few weeks left until school starts, PCS has two assistant principal openings that have yet to be filled.

In addition to the vacancy at Pike County High School, Goshen Elementary must also hire a new assistant principal after the board accepted former assistant principal Elton Russ’s resignation Monday.

Bazzell said Russ’s departure was family-related, and that both vacancies should be filled at the July 26 meeting.

“He had some family issues that required his attention, but we have already posted that opening and we hope to hire someone for both that position and the Pike County High School assistant principal opening by the next meeting,” Bazzell said.