Willard High School names new principal as Kevin Morrison leaves for Francis Howell
Daniel Davis has been named the new principal of Willard High School. He replaces Kevin Morrison, who took a job in the St. Louis area.
Davis has been the assistant principal, working closely with Morrison, for the past two years.
He has been toggling between the Crane and Willard districts since 2012. He was a physical education teacher and baseball coach at Crane High School from 2012 to 2016 and then fulfilled those same roles at Willard High School from 2016 to 2020.
Davis spent two years as principal at Crane High School before accepting the assistant principal job at Willard High in 2022.
In a Friday announcement to staff, Davis said it was an honor to be named principal. "I look forward to collaborating with students, staff, and parents to continue fostering a supportive and engaging learning environment where every student can thrive."
Josh Ladd, assistant superintendent of academics, said he was confident that Davis was a good fit. "His proven track record of leadership, coupled with his passion for student success, makes him the ideal candidate to lead our school community."
Davis has a bachelor's degree from College of the Ozarks and a master's degree and specialist degree from Williams Woods University.
He will replace Morrison, who has been principal of Willard High for seven years.
Morrison, who has a doctorate in educational leadership from Maryville University, was recently hired as the director of student services for the Francis Howell district in the St. Louis area. He starts July 1.
In that role, he will coordinator student services, supervise drug prevention efforts and administer policies related to student discipline, attendance and activities. He will also oversee the district's homeless and foster care services.
He started his career as a middle school reading teacher in Denver and then worked as a reading and an English language arts teacher in Missouri's Hazelwood district.
Morrison, an administrator for 17 years, was an assistant and an associate principal in Hazelwood before taking the Willard job.
This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: New principal at Willard High used to teach PE and coach baseball
