JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- If there's one thing James Young knows about it's progress. For the first time in a long time, Ribault High School is on the brinks of academic success. Young had a plan when he took over as principal and wasn't leaving until he accomplished it.
"The teachers and students worked really, really hard. And last year, we got the first "C" grade which we sort of used as momentum," he said.
Young threw his hat into the superintendent search ring Monday and became one of 30 candidates vying for the top spot in the district. He believes if he could pave the way at an under performing school in record time he could do it for all the schools. In fact, he's so convinced, he's starting his own educational consulting company called "Turn Around Solutions."
"What my company will do is go and sort of help schools similar to Ribault and even high achieving schools and reach their full potential," he continued.
When asked what it takes to succeed at a school, Young's answer was simple.
"Empowering those around you. Students, teachers, staff. Staff from the cafeteria manager to the head custodian to your teachers to all rally around a common cause," he said with a smile.
