Former Lauderdale County educator, Richard Kelly, is the new principal of Sumter County High School in York.

"I think it's a challenge I can handle," Kelly said.

He officially started this week. Kelly, who almost always wears a tie to work, says he plans to implement that same professionalism and sense of academic achievement at the school.

"I've been told that this school has managed to reach AYP for the past couple of years, Adequate Yearly Progress, but I understand at the same time that we've got a lot of work to do," said Kelly.

To do this work, Kelly says he plans to get the entire community involved.

"I'm planning to meet with the city officials, the county officials and even with some of the business people in this area to solicit their support for Sumter County High School," Kelly said.

Having worked 20 years in Lauderdale County, serving most of those years as principal at Northeast Middle School, Kelly said his decision to retire from the Lauderdale County School District was not because he was unhappy.

"In the state of Mississippi, after you have worked and paid into the public employees retirement system for so long, for so many years, if you continue to work you begin to lose money," said Kelly. "So why not retire, draw your retirement and still work on another job where you're getting an additional income?"

Along with the new income are also coming new educational opportunities which Kelly says he anxiously awaits.

"I'm accustomed to taking on great tasks and accomplishing those tasks with the support of a lot of people," said Kelly. "I'm anticipating a fabulous year."