Thomas Kell Appointed Principal of Roosevelt

Thomas Kell, the longtime principal at , has been appointed as the new principal at effective for the 2012-13 school year.

Patrick Hickey, Roosevelt's current principal, is set to return to the classroom as a social studies teacher at Roosevelt.

Kell said he's looking forward to new opportunities.

"I’m very excited about working with the high school staff and the administration that is there," he said. "I will work extremely hard. That’s the way I operate. And we will do the things that are best for kids. And we’ll do it in a way that’s fun and exciting for hopefully the students and the staff."

Board of Education members voted unanimously in favor of Kell at a special meeting on Tuesday.

Board President Patrick Sutka said he's anxious for Kell to "bring his talents, experience and genuine know-how to the high school."

"I’m very excited about this appointment," Sutka said. "I’ve been able to observe Mr. Kell in action. ... His experience will serve him well.”

Sutka wished Kell best of luck, but quickly added: "You don’t need much luck. You bring plenty of skills and experience.”

Kell began his career with fresh out of college and quickly advanced. After teaching at Roosevelt for four years, he was named assistant principal at Wilson. He held that position for four years before being named principal, where he's been for the last 19 years.

He said it was "a dream come true" to get hired in Wyandotte. He's raised four children in the district. Three have graduated from Roosevelt and his youngest is a sixth-grader at Wilson.

Kell said he's glad that Hickey is only changing offices and not changing schools.

"I look forward to working with him," Kell said. "That’ll be a great asset at the high school."

Hickey, who said he is anxious to return to the classroom after being an administrator for nine years, had high praise for Kell.

"I've worked with Mr. Kell before and I know he will do a great job," he said. "It’s going to work out well. It’ll be a good transition."

Now that Kell is moving to the high school, the district will accept applications for the open principal's position at Wilson, Superintendent Carla Harting said.

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