Today is LeVander German’s last day as Alexander Junior HighSchool principal, but a familiar face will soon return to theschool to serve as its leader, Brookhaven School DistrictSuperintendent Lea Barrett said.

Brookhaven Technical Center Director Johnny Waller has beenchosen as AJHS’s new principal following German, who is leaving tobecome principal at McComb High School, Barrett said Thursday.Waller, 46, began his more than 20-year career with the BrookhavenSchool District in 1983 as eighth- and ninth-grade Social Studiesinstructor at AJHS.

“It gives me the opportunity to go back, basically, where Istarted,” said Waller, who has been at the Vo-Tech since 2002. “I’mlooking forward to that challenge.”

The Tylertown native served as assistant principal at LipseyMiddle School from 1996 to 2002. He and his wife, Marilyn, havebeen married 15 years and they have a son Jay, 13.

“He’s done a fine job at the Vo-Tech,” Barrett said of Waller.”I think he’ll do a great job at Alexander.”

German, AJHS principal since 2001, contacted district officialsJuly 1 to notify them he was interviewing for the McComb post,Barrett said.

Barrett was then contacted July 6 by McComb officials of theirintention to offer German the job if it was agreeable with theBrookhaven School Board. She said she contacted school boardmembers individually and they agreed to the request.

“He has sent me his letter of resignation and the board hasagreed to release him from his contract,” Barrett said.

The McComb School Board approved German’s hiring Tuesday duringa special meeting. The Brookhaven School Board is expected toformally act on German’s resignation and Waller’s hiring as AJHSprincipal at its July 26 meeting.

Barrett said German has been busy since the decision to changejobs.

“He wanted to make sure everything was in line at Alexander andthat we have a good school year,” said Barrett, adding thattextbook orders, handbooks, schedules and other student mattershave been addressed. “We hate to see him go, but we wish him everysuccess.”

Waller said he is prepared to pick up where German leavesoff.

“I anticipate spending some time there beginning Monday,” saidWaller, also mentioning his Vo-Tech duties. “We’re spending sometime here, wrapping some things up and getting things in line forthe next person.”

Barrett said the next person has not been identified yet.

“It’s been a game of dominoes,” Barrett said of the personnelshuffle in the district.

Barrett said she has been interviewing candidates and makingphone calls regarding a new Technical Center Director.

“I hope to have that resolved by the first part of next week,”Barrett said, adding that a recommendation would be made at thenext board meeting.

Waller said he is eager to join an excellent faculty and staffat AJHS. He said he already knew many of the faculty members andhas since met some of the others.

“They seem to be a very caring faculty that work closetogether,” Waller said. “One of my goals is to foster that.”

Waller said a safe environment for parents to send theirchildren to school is another area of focus.

“When they feel their children are safe, that establishes strongschool-community relations and also enhances learning,” saidWaller, while also mentioning working on district goals ofimproving instruction and parental involvement.