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New elementary- and middle-school principal begins at Campbell
By EMMALEE C. TORISK
CAMPBELL
Jim Klingensmith hadn’t necessarily planned to pursue school administration.
Instead, as he recalled, he was “recruited” into it. He’d been teaching high school English at the time.
“It was like, ‘I think you’d be good at this,’” Klingensmith said, laughing.
As it turned out, he was.
Klingensmith is now embarking upon his third administrative role: Campbell City Schools’ new elementary- and middle-school principal for kindergarten through seventh grade. This year is the first for the joint position, though Klingensmith will be supported by two part-time assistants: Jane Buckingham and Ryan Stowell.
Klingensmith called the merging of the two schools “a great opportunity” that will help to vertically align the district’s curriculum, or to create a seamless flow of instruction from grade level to grade level.
Matthew Bowen, superintendent, agreed, explaining that the restructuring also will “encourage greater consistency” and improve communications, along with unity, among staff. Bowen added that Klingensmith is just the person to help usher in this change.
“[He] is an accomplished administrator, and we trust his abilities will encourage leadership throughout the building, positively impacting all staff,” Bowen said. “He is a welcome addition to the team.”
Klingensmith was hired by the Campbell Board of Education in early May at a starting salary of $81,298. He previously was principal of Topsail Middle School in Hampstead, N.C., which serves more than 900 students in sixth, seventh and eighth grades.
He also was assistant principal of Roland-Grise Middle School in Wilmington, N.C., as well as an English teacher at Eugene Ashley and Jacksonville high schools, both of which are in North Carolina. In all, Klingensmith spent 19 years in North Carolina, though he had long been hoping to return home.
Klingensmith is a graduate of Poland Seminary High School, and he earned a bachelor’s degree in English education at Youngstown State University. He also holds a dual master’s degree in school administration and curriculum design from East Carolina University. For three years, he taught English at Chalker High School, part of Southington Local Schools.
His father, though, graduated from Campbell Memorial High School, and his parents still live in Poland. In fact, he’s staying with them until he’s able to secure a house. His wife, Amy, and two children, 13-year-old Brennen and 8-year-old Campbell, are remaining in North Carolina until then.
Klingensmith left home July 21 in anticipation of his Aug. 1 start date. School starts in Campbell on Aug. 27.
“I know it’s a good place to be,” Klingensmith said of this area.
He added that the “people have been great” and that everyone has been approachable and positive — which “backs up what everybody says.”
Klingensmith said he is excited about the start of the 2014-15 school year and about his new role in a new district. He’s especially looking forward to “working with the kids” and interacting with a number of different students, which is also what he likes most about serving as an administrator.
A typical day involves his getting there before everyone else — it’s an attempt to “get things done,” he said — then circulating around the building once the school day starts. He makes sure “people are in their places” and walks through classrooms.
Then, usually, “school happens,” and he gets called back into the office.
He described himself as someone who is approachable, likes to communicate and share information and is always willing to do what’s best for the student. As elementary- and middle-school principal in Campbell, Klingensmith said he has one primary goal.
“Long term, I want to make this the best school in the area,” he said.