Mr. Wright’s retirement has left the principal position to Dr. John Burdett who says he has respect for the student and their ideas. In an interview, he gave examples like when he working with a parent group who wanted to hold a Valentine’s Dance but the parents had not asked the students what they wanted. Without the student input, he knew it was going to fail. He says it’s all about the students and their feeling.

Dr.Burdett ideas for the next school has a lot more involvement with asking the student body and will change large part of the dynamic of the school and how it operates.

“My job is to support and serve you. Dr. Watkins and the school board are my boss. But, you are my boss too. I need to make sure every teacher has everything they need. And I want to find ways to connect with the students.”

His ideas will also affect the school’s pep rallies.

“I don’t know what pep rallies look like, but I met with the Student Council and got a take on what they want. I won’t be visible in the pep rallies. Pep rallies are for students and should be run by students. They’ll also be shorter because school is still for learning.”

He said he shows his school spirit by the way he interacts with the students.

“I get so much energy from this place. It’s just a rejuvenation every time I get to interact with students. It’s important for me to come see you. For example in the cafeteria I’ll go around and see and chat with all the students at their tables and if they don’t want me there, I’ll go and won’t be offended because I know that is the student’s time to relax and socialize with their friends.”

Mrs. Dejong. saw how good Dr. Burdett can be because he was her principal at Liberty High School in Frisco.

“He was always there for the kids. He knew every kid by their name. Just seeing him wearing green. It’s exciting. And when he introduced himself at the faculty meeting I had tears in my eyes. That’s how happy I was. And I’m ready to start the school year.”

Dr. Burdett was the Human Resources Special Projects Administrator for Eanes ISD close to Austin before accepting the job as principal here.

“This is my calling and is why I’m here on earth,” Burdett said. “I was meant to be here as a high school principal. Because I get to come to work every single day.”

He knows what he wants the community to say about him.

“The truth. Hopefully, what they see is that we’re all about the students.”