The new Success Academy in the Jamestown Public Schools District has found a familiar face to become the new principal. Current high school principal Mike McElrath, will be helming the new school at the end of the current school year, the district announced Tuesday.

An update released by the district addressed the Success Academy, the summer literacy program, a focus on increasing student engagement, the modernization of courses and physical plant improvements that Superintendent Bret Apthorpe announced almost a year ago inside the Robert H. Jackson Center.

As for moving McElrath from the high school to the Success Academy next year, Apthorpe said it was a “perfect match.” McElrath will officially begin his new role on July 1. He has spent almost 20 years in the district, 8 of which have been serving as the Jamestown High School principal.

The Success Academy is set to open in September. The academy has been planned for almost two years, but the recent principal decision was one that was made more recently.

Apthorpe said McElrath’s knowledge of the various local agencies and “all the players” played a role in his move.

“I think we have an opportunity to teach something unique that can help our students to continue to grow their connections to the school and to grow themselves,” McElrath told The Post-Journal. “They’ll gain some skills that will help with employment and some life skills that will service them well moving forward.”

Inside the Success Academy, agencies like social services, mental health providers, counselors, job training, mentors and clergy would possibly be involved in offering help to students who are falling behind in school due to traumatic events. The programs would be offered to students in grades five through 12 as an additional pathway to address chronic absenteeism in the district.

Another aspect of the Success Academy is the ability to offer additional career and technical education (CTE) courses. Also, the school will offer pre-kindergarten classes.

“It’s a place where there is a lot of good, positive energy to keep kids in school,” McElrath said.

Apthorpe made it clear that McElrath’s move was not removing him from the district’s picture.

“He’s not going anywhere,” Apthorpe said.

McElrath will help with the transition of the new high school principal when that position is filled. McElrath will continue to create the schedule at the high school because of its complexity.

Apthorpe emphasized that the district wants McElrath’s and the new principal’s transition to be “smooth.”

The idea of moving the current high school principal “grew out naturally” after having numerous conversations with McElrath, Apthorpe said. He described the reassignment as “great legacy capstone work for (McElrath).”

But McElrath admitted he’ll miss the high school where he has been for almost a decade.

“It’s tough,” he said. “I have a lot of time and energy invested in the school. I have a lot of pride in Jamestown High School. I want good things for the school. I’ve got some great people here to work with and great students to work with. I’ll miss that.”

The superintendent’s update also addressed the district’s summer reading program. The summer program’s funding partners and its new name, JPS LEAP or Learning Enrichment and Academic Progress were announced. The funding contributors include The Ralph C. Sheldon Foundation, The United Way of Southern Chautauqua County and The Lenna Foundation. The program looks to impact 600 elementary students with enrichment opportunities. The YWCA, YMCA, The Winifred Crawford Dibert Boys & Girls Club and other area community-based organizations will be involved its implementation.

Addressing the other initiatives, the update said the district is continuing its work to improve student engagement, modernize courses and improve physical plant needs.

A state mandated Building Condition Survey in set to begin for the 2019-20 school year. An architect has yet to be selected to conduct the survey. The assessment allows the district to validate needs in the district that includes basic facility improvements and modernizing classrooms.

“We have maintained excellent buildings in Jamestown Schools but to continue this tradition we must identify long-term physical plant needs and, a long-term financial plan to take care of those needs. Some areas that we will focus on will be modernizing administrative systems such as phones and defining contemporary learning spaces for our students,” Apthorpe said.