Rocky Mount, NC-Nash/Edgecombe County

Principal Leon Farrow will leave West Craven High in July to take the principal's position at Rocky Mount High School.

Farrow has worked in Craven County schools since 1999. He became an assistant principal at West Craven in 2005 and principal in 2006. In October 2007, he was named the system's principal of the year.

Farrow said Richard A. McMahon, the superintendent of Nash-Rocky Mount public schools, searched for him and looked his way.

"So I prayed about the situation," Farrow said. "I just really felt that my work here is done. The people of Craven County have been really good to me. This place gave me a chance to learn as an educator and grow as an administrator. It's hard to make a decision to go."

Farrow and his wife, Tarra, have two young daughters, Isla and Nia.

He said he has family in the Rocky Mount area. He said his aunt works for the school system, and he knows another administrator.

"I'm really kind of anxious, though, because I don't know what to expect," he said. "I'm looking forward to sitting down with the superintendent to see what is expected."

Gerald Johnson, Craven County schools' assistant superintendent for human resources, said Farrow's successor at West Craven will be announced Thursday night at the Board of Education meeting.