By Rupert Howell

South Panola High School principal Dr. Matthew Dillon confirmed Tuesday rumors that he will be principal for Pearl High School in Rankin County for the 2010-11 school year pending that school board’s final approval when they meet April 12.

Dillon has been employed in the South Panola District for approximately eight years, first as teacher at Batesville Junior High then doing an internship at BJH while working on his administrative degree. He was promoted to assistant principal, a position he held for four years before moving to an assistant principal position at SPHS under former principal Gearl Loden.

One year later Dillon was named principal at the high school, a position he has held for the past one-and-a-half years.

Dillon said the deciding factor was family.

“God opened this door when I wasn’t even looking,” Dillon said. “It is a great job at the the right place at the right time,” Dillon added but was quick to note that the he has enjoyed his time in the South Panola School District.

“We will carry with us the great relationships built here both in community and school,” he said.

Dillon noted the Pearl position would allow his family to be closer to parents and grandparents of both he and his wife, Mary Ann, in south Mississippi. They have two children, Nathan, age 2 and Peyton, 8 mos. His parents live in Columbia and his wife’s are in Petal.

“Now that we have children our priorities have changed,” Dillon said Tuesday.

“We will continue to work hard and focus on our goal of achieving a “Star” status as this school year comes to a close,” Dillon said, noting that the school received a “High Performing” status from the MS Dept of Education because of the hard work of the great faculty and students.

“I will work to help transition the new leader to ensure SPHS is prepared for the next school year because I want nothing but the best for SPHS,” he added.

School officials are already looking to replace a principal at Batesville Intermediate School following the retirement announcement of Mrs. Willie Chapman.

The district school board will next meet April 20 for their regular monthly board meeting.