Mark Webber | The Republic Michael Parsons speaks at a Bartholomew Consolidated School Corp. board meeting after being named principal at Columbus East High School effective July 1.
Michael Parsons, Clifty Creek Elementary School principal, will become the new Columbus East High School principal effective July 1.
Parsons was appointed by the Bartholomew Consolidated School Corp. school board Monday night.
He will replace current East Principal Mark Newell, who will take over as the director of Adult and Alternative Education at the McDowell Education Center on July 1. Newell has been principal at East since the beginning of the 2008-2009 school year.
One year after arriving at Clifty Creek in 2017, Parsons, 41, was instrumental in setting up the Legado Spanish Immersion Academy at his school, BCSC superintendent Jim Roberts said.
Legado gives young children in pre-kindergarten through second grade the opportunity to study the curriculum in Spanish and English. Roberts said the academy has helped increase enrollment at Clifty Creek to more than 600 students.
The superintendent also gave Parsons a large amount of credit for keeping teacher retention at his school at near 100%.
Accompanied by his wife, Arlene, their 10-year-old son, Caleb, and 8-year-old daughter, Natalie, Parsons received a standing ovation from both school officials and audience members.
“This has been an incredible journey for our family,” Parsons said. “Having been in four other school corporations, I can tell you BCSC is a unique and beautiful school corporation. I’m truly excited for the many years to come, and the blessings it will provide.”
He also extended his appreciation to the educators, staff and students at Clifty Creek.
“My heart will always be with them,” Parsons said. “They are incredible people.”
But in looking to the future, Parsons described himself as committed to relentlessly serving Columbus East and making the absolute best version of the high school in terms of academics, school activities and school life.
“I’m excited and thankful that you have made me an Olympian tonight,” Parsons said.
To illustrate that excitement, every member of the Parsons family wore at least one orange and/or brown item to Monday’s meeting.
“We were all excited to support the colors of Columbus East,” he said.
Parsons earned his PhD in educational leadership from Purdue University. He received two master of arts degrees from Ball State University, one in education supervision and leadership while the other is in special education, Roberts said.
Before obtaining his bachelor of arts in social studies and secondary education in 2005, the 6-foot, 8-inch tall Parsons was a member of the varsity basketball team at Taylor University.
Prior to being appointed Clifty Creek principal, Parsons served as an assistant principal at Riverview Middle School in Huntington. Earlier, he was an assistant principal at South Bend Career Academy. He began his career in education by teaching social studies and special education at Huntington North High School from 2006 to 2011.
