FRANKLIN
Travis Felts has been named as principal of Franklin High School, and Dr. Ronnie Watson, who has been the school leader for the past year and a half, will become the new coordinator of Pupil Personnel, Testing and Instruction. The announcement was made on Thursday afternoon by Kelvin Edwards Sr., interim superintendent for the city’s public school system. The change becomes effective on Monday, Dec. 5.

Felts, who is already the coordinator of the aforementioned department, served as FHS principal from 2012 to 2015.

Edwards stated in a press release to the newspaper, “Mr. Felts is an excellent instructional leader and he has a demonstrated track record of developing a positive school climate and culture. I have complete confidence in his abilities to lead our wonderful high school students, staff and faculty into the future.”

Further, “I believe that we always have to find the best fit in terms of talents and position, and make sure we have the right people in the right positions,” said Edwards. “With this change, I know that we have the best fit for both Dr. Watson and Mr. Felts. I want to thank Dr. Watson for all his contributions to Franklin High School. We are grateful for his commitment to the students, families and staff here at Franklin, and we look forward to his continuing service in his new position.”

In a phone conversation after receiving the announcement, Edwards reiterated the reasoning behind the change.

“We just felt it was the best fit,” he said, adding that both Felts and Watson were receptive to the change. “It’s a changing of the guard and a passing of the baton.”