Ordinarily we wouldn't single out a lone principal appointment here in the Gradebook. But the folks over at Bayonet Point Middle have been particularly anxious about who will lead their school, having gone through five principals in the past seven years and learning that the current one, Steve Knobl, would be leaving from the St. Petersburg Times.
So we pause to note that Mike Asbell (left), an assistant principal at Seven Springs Middle since 2004, will take the helm at Bayonet Point starting Monday. He won School Board approval earlier today.
"The biggest thing that I'm planning on doing is getting in there and getting to know the staff and their concerns," Asbell, who also has worked at Hudson and Ridgewood high schools, told the Gradebook. "The most important thing is to spend a lot of time listening.
As for bringing some desired stability to the school, he said, "That's something that I hope we're going to be able to do."
Get inside the world of Florida education with St. Petersburg Times staff writer Jeffrey S. Solochek and the rest of the Times education reporting team. We'll bring you up-to-date information about the latest education trends, fads and news and dig deep into Tampa Bay area school issues.
Good Luck, Mr. Asbell. You definitely earned it.
Posted by: | June 17, 2008 at 11:20 AM
Good luck, Mr. Asbell. SSMS will definitely feel the loss of your presence. BPMS is fortuante to have you for their principal.
Posted by: ma | June 05, 2008 at 03:06 PM
It is about time this man gets his just do. I have seen this man work and put students and teachers before anything. This is the kind of leadership this county needs and it is about time the people in the higher places have finally come to realize this. Good Luck Mr. Asbell
Posted by: James Michaud | June 04, 2008 at 05:14 PM
One school's loss is another's gain.
SSMS is very sad to see Mr. Asbell go.
BPMS is very lucky to have him.
Posted by: me | June 03, 2008 at 05:21 PM
Great choice he will do wonderful
Posted by: brady | June 03, 2008 at 04:24 PM