Outgoing Bragg Principal Says Hard Goodbye

After a whirlwind courtship, Bragg School Principal Dan Johnson tendered his resignation to the Chester Consolidated School system effective August 22 to take the reigns as principal of Sparta High School on August 23. 

The process, from inception to hiring, took two weeks for Johnson, who said he was not looking to make a change.

"About a month ago Dennis Tobin was elevated from principal of the high school to superintendent," Johnson said. "Someone suggested to me that I should put in for it. I spoke to my wife and applied."

The chance to be principal of a high school in a celebrated district in Sussex County was too good an opportunity to pass up, but it by no means was a reflection of any unhappiness on Johnson's part.

"Oh, God no," Johnson said. "I was incredibly happy in Chester."

According to Johnson, part of the reason he was content in Chester was because of the staff he worked with there.

"They are the best staff I have ever worked with up to this point," Johnson said. "And it is hard to leave because when you work with a group of people for five years and you accomplish the things we've accomplished, you get really close."

Johnson had sent a message to his staff and invited them to speak to him about his leaving and assured them he would still be available to help them in the future. Johnson said the sadness of leaving is tempered by the excitement of the new challenge.

"In a way it is getting back to my roots in Sussex County. And a high school means high school sports, school plays, all the different concerts and bands. A lot of things we don't have at this level," Johnson said.

The change to a high school doesn't faze Johnson, either.

"Leadership is leadership," Johnson said. "I know the staff in this district are dedicated to the students and they want to make progress and achieve."

Johnson said one common thread in where he comes from and where he is heading is the caliber of his support staff.

"I believe in human capital," Johnson said. "There are great people in Chester and Sparta."

Beyond giving thanks and credit to his staff and collegues, Johnson credited the students, parents and Chester community at large for their support and giving him the opportunity as Bragg School principal. The outgoing principal also said parents shouldn't worry about Superintendent Christina VanWoert finding a replacement for him.

"Oh, I know she will go out and hire someone better than me for the job," Johnson said.