Frankfort School Board Names Long to FHS Principal Position

New Frankfort High School Principal Cindy Long, middle back, is surrounded by her family. Husband Justin is back left, son Jason Long is back right and daughter Jarah Long is in the front.

When Steve Edwards resigned last week as the principal at Frankfort High School to take a similar position at Western High School, it left school officials in a unique position to fill a huge administrative position less than a week before the new school year starts.

However, it didn’t take them very long to figure out who the person would be to take over the position as the Community Schools of Frankfort Board of Education on Tuesday night unanimously approved Cindy Long, who had been the assistant principal at FHS for the past two years, to be the next principal.

“We are so pleased,” said CSF Superintendent Don DeWeese. “We couldn’t think of anyone else that would be better suited and the timing to have Cindy Long as our new principal. With tomorrow (Wednesday) being the first day of school, we feel Frankfort High School is not going to miss a step in the next month.”

Long’s appointment is also extremely unique.

“We’ve done a little bit of historic checking and this is pretty unique especially in recent history,” said DeWeese. “So, we are announcing it that there has not been a Frankfort High School graduate become principal in a long time.”

Long was ecstatic with her new position.

“It’s an awesome opportunity to help lead my community to great places and help kids achieve everything that they could ever dream of,” said Long. “I’ve taught English here for 16 years and I never really thought I would go into administration. But, the opportunity came up. I had some good friends that are now working at some other county schools were also traveling down that road and I tried it out. I went to Western for one year (as an assistant principal) and then immediately came back to Frankfort as soon as the opportunity arose.”

Long said her responsibilities would change from attendance, discipline and support as an assistant principal to a more immediate leadership role with teachers and staff.

Edwards had been the FHS principal for the past eight years before taking the position at the Howard County school which is also closer to his home.

DeWeese admitted he was shocked when his found out about Edwards’ departure.

“Steve has been in that position for eight years and he’s done a very good job,” said DeWeese. “He has proven that he can make a lot of good decisions.. He has developed a great climate and culture, not only for our staff, but for our students. People in the area take note of that.”