The initials K.P. might have sounded like an army term for kitchen patroll, but when Principal Erik Kirkpatrick took over, the abbreviation took on a new meaning.
Kirkpatrick said the intitials were “much easier to say.”
Kirkpatrick transferred from Frenship High School, taking over for retiring Robert Chappell.
“I’m following in the footsteps of a guy who was here for 13 years before me,” Kirkpatrick said. “He did an amazing job, and it’s just my hope that I can build upon the success and tradition of the high school.”
Before applying for the job, Kirkpatrick said he visited with different people about the job but could not find anyone who said anything negative about it.
“I even asked people who would’ve had a negative opinion,” Kirkpatrick said, “but they didn’t. They said nothing but great, positive things about the community, kids and teachers.”
Kirkpatrick had spent 27 years in education taking on m a variety of roles inlcuding teaching, coaching and administration. He was the principal at Childress high school for five years. He got to coach his son along the way.
He said his mentor was one of his superintendents.
“I very first cut my teeth in administration with a superintendend named John Wilson,” Kirkpatrick said. “He is really special to me. He retired, but he taught me a lot of stuff that I still use today.”
Kirkpatrick brought his wife Amanda with him to teach and coach.
“Most people who are educators have a philosophy to go where the heard leads them,” Kirkpatrick said. “In every move that we’ve ever made, our heats adn our faith encouraged us t