Grim out, Thomas in as PCHS Principal
Richard D. Thomas will be interim principal at Pulaski County High School during the second semester of the 2019-20 school year.
Thomas, formerly Wythe County Public Schools Director of Personnel, replaces Mike Grim who had led the high school since the spring of 2014.
The news came Monday evening following a closed session by the Pulaski County School Board.
When the board returned to open session, its members voted 5-0 to transfer “Employee A” to an “itinerate administrative position.”
Next, the board voted 5-0 to hire Thomas to an interim administrative position for the second semester of the 2019-20 school year.
After the meeting, School Superintendent Dr. Kevin Siers confirmed Thomas would be principal at PCHS for the second semester.
Grim arrived for the latter portion of the short meeting and was surrounded by over a dozen supporters and well-wishers afterwards – at least some of whom were PCHS faculty.
Siers would not comment on the reason for the move taken in mid-school year due, he said, to it involving a personnel matter.
Grim worked for the school system for eight years prior to becoming PCHS Principal in 2014. He had been principal at Critzer Elementary in Pulaski prior to being given reins of the high school.
He replaced the late Joe Reed who had served in an interim capacity following the departure of former PCHS Principal Michael Myers.
Grim is a graduate of Radford University, Ashland University and Bowling Green State University.
Prior to retiring from Wythe County Public Schools, Thomas served as principal at Fort Chiswell Middle School and as assistant principal at Fort Chiswell High School. Before that he was an athletic director and teacher at Patrick Henry High School in Washington County.
By MIKE WILLIAMS, The Patriot
December 16, 2019 @ 7:08 pm
Terrible decision!! 😡
December 16, 2019 @ 8:04 pm
We loved Mr.Grimm. So sad to see him leave.
December 17, 2019 @ 5:44 am
Agree
December 16, 2019 @ 8:48 pm
this is not right. awful awful decision. grim was an amazing sweet principal and he does not deserve this.
December 16, 2019 @ 9:00 pm
In my opinion he wasn’t worth a HOOT. Best decision the board has made. Now maybe the High School will make better progress. He wasn’t a very good leader in my opinion
December 17, 2019 @ 12:15 am
How could you say that
December 17, 2019 @ 10:26 am
You must of been drunk on on some strong meds to think grim was a bad principal because he was awesome and he’s irreplaceable
December 18, 2019 @ 8:57 am
Obviously, I wish the new Principal success,as he’s now over my son’s education due to the poor decision making of the school board! With that said–How can he be THAT much of a success with his background in education? Most of his time was spent with athletes of heading much smaller school systems. Something doesn’t feel quite right about this move. I think the parents and tax payers (esp since property owners are funding the new school) should be told WHY the School board took this FINANCIAL reaction?! Why would a board move a truly beloved Principal to some made-up/not impacrful position to bring in someone with little knowledge of our children in Pulaski County? No, not all schools are the same. Staff is very important to a school system. The right educator can change the life of a child forever!!!
If this doesn’t work out for the best, I’d hope Dr. Siers will humbly resign his position.
December 16, 2019 @ 9:19 pm
Could you elaborate on why you thought he wasn’t a good leader.
December 17, 2019 @ 12:11 am
Very horrible Mr.grim is a very kind person who helps students . I know this because he’s helped me several times
December 17, 2019 @ 12:14 am
Horrible decision Mr. Grim is an awesome principle who helps students and as one of those students I say that pulaski county school board made an awful decision and to fire someone right before Christmas is very heartless
December 17, 2019 @ 2:41 am
it was a PERSONNEL matter, not PERSONAL.
December 17, 2019 @ 8:46 am
He was a really good principal they should not have done that they need to bring Mr. Grim back no wonder this school sucks the school board is taking out the people who is trying to help this school and putting in people who wont
December 17, 2019 @ 1:19 pm
School board needs to give the taxpayers a better answer on its dismissal. One thing the dress code needs looked at.
December 17, 2019 @ 4:18 pm
the dress code? are you kidding me right now? that’s what you are worried about???
December 17, 2019 @ 1:37 pm
Mr. Grimm was one of the strongest educators I have ever work with. He was always an ethical educational leader who only had the best wishes of his students in mind. I sorry to say but I feel PCHS has lost a good man and maybe the board acted too fast. None of us are perfect but I have never heard of Mr. Grimm doing anything that was guided by the good of his students . The New River has lost a good educator. Mike I wish you the best in the future.
December 17, 2019 @ 4:42 pm
We have been in this school district for a year. My children were very impressed with Mr. Grim’s compassion and interest in their transition. Moving from another state and starting mid year is a daunting task. He made this transition easier for them. The several times that I have encountered Mr. Grim he seemed respectful and was willing to help with an issue that I had. Unfortunately I have not been as impressed with the school board! Relieving a beloved principal right before the holidays is cruel! What is the rush? Should they not have given a reason for this hasty dismissal? I believe that the parents and students deserve better. Bad call Dr. Siers!
December 17, 2019 @ 4:49 pm
Im a freshman from PCHS a have to say how i feel my name is hailey cantrell i had Mr. grim in elementary and Mr. grim is a great man and today we had a walk out for him BC once a cougar always a cougar, Grim, will always be a cougar no matter what, all the teacher today said just give Mr. Thomas a chance we are but he is not going to replace the best person ever he was a farther figure to a lot of people he put the students first with there safety and our PRIDE he will always be the best person no matter where he is, but we need him back BC the school is not ever going to be the same at all is going to be depressing, and quite, and we are never going to forgive yall for this
WE NEED GRIM
December 18, 2019 @ 2:51 pm
I wonder why no one has entertained the possibility that perhaps that Mike Grimm has been given a chance to lead a project that may ultimately land him a promotion, say, to a Deputy Superintendent‘s position. Why does everyone, including the local media, think that this move is a demotion?? My guess is that PCPS will host Mike Grimm at graduation, regardless of his position, so that he can shake the hands of students and celebrate their success with them. I taught in PCPS for 10 years, and I know that when their school board is unhappy with an employee, that person is either demoted or fired. Managing a multi-million dollar project and the consolidation of two middle schools is not a task given to someone on their way out.