Craig Moore is the new assistant principal at New Palestine High School
NEW PALESTINE — When officials at New Palestine High School learned one of their associate principals, Amy Dawson, was leaving to be the principal at Shelbyville High School, the Southern Hancock administrative staff did some shuffling to fill the position.
New Palestine principal Jim Voelz reached over to his former school, New Palestine Junior High School, (the old Doe Creek Middle School) and asked his former assistant there to come and join him at NPHS in the same capacity.
Craig Moore is now the new assistant principal at NPHS and rejoins Voelz as part of his administrative staff. Voelz is someone Moore worked with for many years when they were at NPJHS. For Voelz bringing in Moore was an easy decision he said considering their many years of service together and Moore’s desire to make a move over to NPHS should something open up.
“Craig and I were partners for six years before I moved to the high school,” Voelz said. “Once Craig expressed an interest in the high school position, I jumped on it.”
Voelz noted Moore is one of the best school leaders he’s ever had the privilege of working around and thinks he’ll make a great addition at the high school level because he’s always thinking about what is the best thing for students.
“He always puts students first in all decisions he makes and he is an excellent communicator,” Moore said. “The NPHS staff is going to absolutely love working with Craig because he is a true professional.”
Moore is equally pleased to make the move, he said. Moore will be following the eighth-graders he just said “so long” to at the junior high school over to the high school — a fun surprise for the Class of 2026.
“It is an absolute honor and pleasure to join Jim Voelz and Nick Mitchaner as part of the administrative team at NPHS,” Moore said.
Having been administrative partners with Voelz for many years at the old Doe Creek Middle School, then later named New Palestine Junior High School, Moore said he has great respect for Voelz’s leadership philosophy, how much he values relationships and how he serves what Moore called a great community.
“Jim is one of the best leaders in education, and I’m excited to serve alongside him again,” Moore said. “I am also looking forward to getting to know the NPHS Staff and their families and to work with them to best serve the NPHS students and community.”
Moore noted working in the Southern Hancock school district is a special place, and he’s excited to be part of the NPHS team.
According to corporation documents, Moore will make $99,642 per year in his role as an assistant principal. He and Mitchaner will make the same salary and both will be referred to as assistant principals as opposed to associate principals.
The corporation officially parted ways with Dawson, who had been an associate principal at NPHS for three years, on June 30 as she moved on to take her first principal’s role.
“It’s a good move for her and we’re happy for her,” community relations and communication director Wes Anderson said.
Anderson noted Voelz and Moore have a great working relationship and that will be a good thing for the students and staff.
The district has not officially announced Moore’s replacement at NPJHS. Anderson noted principal Keith Fessler conducted interviews late last week with a faculty panel to name a new assistant principal. The person has been selected, however they must have board approval on Monday, Aug. 15, before district officials will release the name.
