The Escambia County Board of Education on Thursday changed the status of an administrator to put an end to the search for a principal at Escambia County High School in Atmore.

Dennis Fuqua went from serving in an interim position to being named principal for the Atmore school in a unanimous decision by board members Thursday afternoon in Brewton.

Fuqua was named to the interim position in January when then-principal Zickeyous Byrd stepped down as principal of ECHS to take a state position.

Fuqua said he is excited to have been chosen for the permanent post and is honored by the board’s decision.

“It’s an honor and a privilege to serve ECHS and the residents of Atmore,” Fuqua said.

Fuqua, who spent nine years as assistant principal of Flomaton High School, is an Escambia County native. He is a graduate of W.S. Neal High School and Auburn University. Thursday he offered his thanks for being named to the position by the board.

“I appreciate the board’s faith in me,” Fuqua said. “We will move forward to take ECHS in a positive direction. I want to do what I can to make Escambia County proud from one end of the county to the other. I see people here that have helped me a great deal. I have a vested interest in this county and in Escambia County High School. Every student at ECHS will be treated fairly and with respect. It’s time to move on with academics at ECHS.”

Fuqua said one of the biggest factors in continuing academic improvement at ECHS, which has been deemed as a “failing” school by some state standards, is improving the graduation rate.

“We addressed some immediate needs when I first got here, which includes the graduation exam,” he said. “Everybody wants their child to walk across that stage and it’s our job to make sure that happens.”

Fuqua said the administration is already looking ahead to next year’s exam process.

“As soon as we get the results of this year’s testing back in April, we will begin looking ahead to the junior class, which are the incoming seniors,” he said. “They will become our top priority.”

Fuqua, who has been on the ECHS campus since January, will officially take on the role of principal when his contract for the position begins Monday, July 1.