On Thursday, May 3, De Soto High School principal David Morford informed the DHS faculty that after eight years at DHS, the 2011-12 school year will be his last. Next year he will be the principal at Olathe North High School.

While other job opportunities have arisen in the past, this was one that Morford could not pass up. As he is nearing retirement, the Olathe School District was able to make Morford an offer he couldn’t refuse.

“As much as I love it [at DHS], that was a life decision I had to make, and it was a positive decision … There’s a time in life when you have to grasp opportunities when they come along. This was a good opportunity for me to grasp and I’m going to miss the people here dearly,” Morford said.

In addition to moving to a brand new school, Morford will also have to deal with the different challenges that come with being the principal of a school with 1,800 students, as opposed to 700.

While Morford will no longer be the principal at DHS, he has left his mark. Eighty percent of the staff was either hired by Morford, or began teaching at DHS the same time he began working here eight years ago.

In addition to the teaching staff, Morford was instrumental in getting the construction currently in Phase 2 going.

Also during his time here, academics have improved. This includes raising test scores and adding new classes as well as AP classes.

“I think this school has grown and come a long way. There was still a lot of tension about the split [when Mill Valley High School was built] and our academic scores were not the greatest, but we’ve added programs and are slowly taking steps forward,” Morford said. “We are giving our students the opportunity for a great education and that’s important.”

Even though Morford is leaving DHS, he still considers himself a wildcat.

“I really love it here and consider it home … If you cut me now, I’ll bleed green and I’ll bleed green a long time … I truly am going to miss and want nothing but the best for De Soto High School,” Morford said.