New Tech Director Cory McElmeel talks during an assembly to 10th-graders on the first day of class at New Tech high school in Ypsilanti on Sept. 6, 2011. McElmeel recently was named the new principal of Skyline High School in Ann Arbor.
Angela J. Cesere | AnnArbor.com file photo
Cory McElmeel, principal of Ypsilanti's New Tech high school, was tapped to be the first principal of the newly unified New Tech @ Ardis program, following the merger of Ypsilanti and Willow Run schools in July. However, he will be turning that down and instead, McElmeel will join the Ann Arbor Public Schools as principal of Skyline High School.
"I am humbled and honored to be welcomed as the newest member of the Skyline family," McElmeel said in a statement. "I look forward to meeting and serving the members and stakeholders of our learning community. I will work tirelessly to continue the excellence of our educational program and take student learning and school culture to the next level."
Current Skyline Principal Sulura Jackson resigned in March after seven years in the district. She was hired prior to 2004 to help design the new high school, which opened in 2008, and curriculum — including the mastery learning concept for credit recovery and retaking of tests; the trimester schedule; magnet programs for students to pursue specific interests; and "Skytime," a student development hour.
Jackson will leave Ann Arbor at the end of the month to take a position with Chapel Hill High School in North Carolina.
McElmeel was one of 29 applicants for the Skyline leadership role. He has been at Ypsilanti Public Schools since 2003. He began as a teacher and was named principal of the New Tech @ Ardis program at its inception in the fall of 2010.
In the fall of 2011, Ypsilanti's New Tech high school become a model for others nationwide, when it was awarded the distinction of serving as one of 30 demonstration sites in the U.S. for prospective New Tech programs during the 2011-12 academic year.
"Mr. McElmeel brings a wealth of leadership skills and abilities to his new role at Skyline High School," Ann Arbor schools officials said in an email sent to parents around 8 p.m. Tuesday. "We are confident that his skills are a great match for Skyline's mastery learning program and magnet opportunities."
McElmeel's hire was made known to the Ypsilanti community late Tuesday as well on a Facebook page for supporters of the new Ypsilanti Community Schools district. McElmeel responded to a post about his new position outside of the unified Ypsilanti-Willow Run schools by saying it is "with a heavy heart" that he accepts this next step in his career.
"I love the Ypsilanti community and, more so, our amazing youth," he wrote. "Ypsilanti, your children make me strive to be a better professional and individual. I will continue to work tirelessly through this transition to support the development of our schools, district, and the New Tech program. I am a better teacher and leader because you have allowed me to serve you and that will never be forgotten."
McElmeel was one of six principals from either Ypsilanti or Willow Run to make it through the interview and selection process and be offered a position in the new consolidated district.
Danielle Arndt covers K-12 education for AnnArbor.com. Follow her on Twitter @DanielleArndt or email her at daniellearndt@annarbor.com.