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Escambia County High School Principal Dennis Fuqua is changing jobs.

Fuqua confirmed with The Atmore Advance today that he is resigning, and his last day at the high school is Jan. 10, 2020. He will be stepping into the role as Brewton campus director for Coastal Alabama Community College.

“This was an opportunity that I can’t turn down,” Fuqua said.

Fuqua has been the principal at ECHS for seven years, and served as an assistant principal at Flomaton High and the alternative schools. He was an agriscience instructor for two years prior.

Fuqua has been an employee of the Escambia County School System for 16 years.

He said while at ECHS, he’s most proud of how the students have decided where their futures are heading.

The board will begin the search for a new principal at ECHS immediately, Superintendent John Knott said. Additionally, David Linear, director of career and technical education at the Brewton Central Office, is resigning and took the campus director’s position at CACC in Atmore.

“Personally, I’m proud of them getting this appointment,” Knott said. “I certainly appreciate the job they have done. They are been dedicated to the job they do. They’re very focused trying to meet the needs of students and at the same time, are key members of their communities.

“I can assure you that we will find somebody to fill their positions,” he said. “After that (the board’s action on accepting the resignations) happens, we will open those positions up. One of the things I’ll share with the board (last Thursday), with the board’s support, is that we do a very wide, very thorough search. That includes looking at people within system, and under a wide umbrella looking for best candidate at this time.

“One of the key things we’ll look for is an instructional leader, somebody that can be involved with the community, and be a change leader,” he said. “That is exactly what is needed, and is exactly what our parents want for our students. That’s what the community expects us to do.”

Knott said the resignations will be accepted after Jan. 10, 2020, and both will start in their new roles on Jan. 13.

See Wednesday’s edition for a complete story.