Dr. Charles Farmer has announced his intentions to resign as principal of Greenville High School at the end of this school year. Farmer will join former Butler County Superintendent Mike Looney in the Williamson County School District in Tennessee where he will be principal of a new high school that is still under construction, Looney confirmed on Tuesday.

“Obviously one of my jobs as superintendent is to find and recruit talented staff,” said Looney. “I know what I’m getting in Charles because he’s a quality administrator and has an excellent rapport with students. We look forward to having him here. I hate that it’s a loss for Greenville because I have close relationships with some of the people there. At the same time, I have to hire the best people available for the Williamson County School District.”

Looney said the school Farmer will become principal of – known at the moment as the “Spring Station Area High School” – will serve 1,800 students, grades 9-12.

Looney hired Farmer in 2008 to be principal of Greenville High.

Farmer met with faculty members on Tuesday morning where it was reported he told them he would resign. He met with Interim Superintendent Joseph Dean soon after.

Farmer said he had no public comment on his employment status with the Butler County School District at this time.

Some parents who found out about the news of Farmer’s imminent departure were upset.

“I am sickened that Butler County is losing such a fabulous educator,” said parent Laura Hartman Fuller. “Under Dr. Farmers’ leadership teacher and student morale and performance at Greenville High School have been at an all time high. I am left to wonder why the Board of Education could not have worked something out with Dr. Farmer. I wish him and his family nothing but the best. Dr. Charles Farmer will be a success wherever he goes.”

Farmer was assistant principal at Opelika High School prior to coming to Greenville. He started his educational career in 1997 as a teacher and coach at Bay High in Bay City, Florida, where he worked until 2001. He completed his Master’s degree in educational administration at Florida State University.

The Board of Education will meet on Thursday night where it is expected they will discuss several personnel issues. The meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m.