HIGHLAND — After more than a decade leading Highland Elementary, Principal Darren Yaden has been hired as the Lincoln County School District's new District Systems Analyst and District Technology Coordinator.
"While I am sad to be leaving the Highland community, I am very proud of what we were able to accomplish," Yaden said. "I am very excited to become part of the district leadership team."
Yaden, who has a bachelor's in business administration and a master's in instructional leadership, taught "technology integration" at Lincoln County Middle School for nine years before becoming Highland's principal.
He began his new district-level job on Monday.
Pam Hart, chief deputy of quality management for the district, said former Danville Principal Winn Smith has been brought on as interim principal at Highland Elementary until a new principal is hired.
Highland's school council began principal selection training Sept. 19.
Hart said Yaden's new job is a "redesigned" position that the district had not filled for quite some time.
Yaden's tech-focused job includes making sure technology is functioning well and ensuring that the district remains "innovative" and "progressive" when it comes to technology, she added.
Superintendent Karen Hatter said Yaden is highly qualified for his new position and "possesses the skills and vision to move our district forward."
