Kuhn leaves with fond memories of our youth
Principal leaves after setting a firm foundation
After setting a firm foundation at Williams High School, Principal Bob Kuhn is leaving after three years on the job. Kuhn has accepted an assistant principal position at Flagstaff Middle School. While his official last day is June 30, Kuhn plans to assist the Williams Unified School District through October to assure a smooth transition.
Williams Elementary-Middle School Principal Dave Bowling recently resigned and WUSD Superintendent Susan Scherz resigned last month. An interim superintendent ‹ Thomas McCraley ‹ was named last month.
"There are quality people out there. A good superintendent is coming in and I was looking forward to working with him. I'll miss that opportunity," Kuhn said.
Kuhn has accepted the Flagstaff position to be closer to his family ‹ a wife and two daughters. Kuhn had previously worked as a technology instructor for FMS for 12 years and was a vocational education teacher at WHS 1988-1990. He has also worked as a coach in the Flagstaff area.
"The foundation is here. Test scores are up and attendance is up. The CTE (career/technical education) has become a model program in the state of Arizona," Kuhn said.
During his three years in Williams, Kuhn was instrumental in the construction of a new vocational building and cafeteria. The construction period was a favorite time of Kuhn's.
"When they started digging, I knew it would help the kids. This was a positive step forward," he remembered.
Kuhn also moved graduation ceremonies outside in June 2004. Previously, all commencement ceremonies had been held in the WHS gymnasium.
"The first year I was here, more than 250 people were crammed into the gym for graduation. It was hot. You couldn't breathe. You couldn't see the graduation ceremony," Kuhn said.
When Kuhn announced plans to move graduation ceremonies to outside Viking Stadium, people told him it could not be done. However, there wasn't a choice since the gymnasium was under construction. The first ceremony in years was held outside on June 4, 2004. The outside ceremony was so popular, the Class of 2005 graduated outside May 27.
Kuhn regrets that he will not be in the building during the Class of 2006's senior year. Those class members were freshmen when Kuhn returned to WHS in 2002.
"I will return for their graduation," Kuhn admitted, adding that graduations in Williams hold a place in his heart.
"On Graduation Day, the students have finished. The pride can be seen in the faces of the kids and their parents," he said.
Kuhn credits his success to his staff.
"People have been flexible and easy to work with. I thank the teachers. They have been a joy to work with," Kuhn said.
Most of all, Kuhn admits he will miss the youth of Williams.
"It's been a positive three years. The support I have received has been tremendous," he concluded.
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