Assistant Principal Sharon Auten will replace current principal Dean Jones on Feb. 1, 2016. Jones will retire at the end of the first semester.

The change was announced at last night’s school board meeting and in a faculty meeting Tuesday morning.

Jones has served for 28 years in public education, including positions at Murphy High School, Flat Rock Middle School, East Henderson High School and then finally West where he became the head football coach in 1999.

“In my educational career this is the one place I fell in love with,” Jones said. “The most rewarding thing was to see student success.”

Auten joined Henderson County Public Schools in 2006 as a coach and school counselor and became assistant principal, a position she has held since 2011.

“I’m really excited because it’s a great opportunity,” Auten said. “It’s going to be some tough shoes to fill. This is the school where I started, and I’m excited continue here.”  

Students, teachers, parents and administrators will remember Jones by his truism, “Do what’s right all the time” and the legacy of character he brought to the school. 

“We are very appreciative of the leadership and service Dean Jones provided our school district,” Henderson County Public School Superintendent David Jones said in a press release. “He is a fine man who made a positive impact on students, staff, and community. We wish him well in his retirement and future endeavors.”

By Ari Sen