The 2023-2024 school saw important new changes for BIC High School. Former High School Principal, Mr. Randy Rose, retired from his position, allowing other potential principals to step up to the challenge and take on one of the most important roles in the school district. Former Assistant Principal, Mr. Mark Hurst, has now been promoted to Head Principal, with Mr. Matthew Sills taking over his position as Assistant Principal.

Mr. Hurst did not step into being assistant principal immediately. In fact he formerly worked for Buffalo Island Central as a coach and a teacher. He was an eighth grade history teacher and a ninth grade civics teacher, as well as an assistant basketball coach. Mr. Hurst said that in a way teaching and coaching were extremely alike. “Coaching and teaching is the same in the methods of teaching, just in different ways. As a coach you test and teach them physically and in school you teach and test them mentally,” said Hurst.

Mr. Hurst seems to enjoy his newfound position as Head Principal, but finds that the job comes with many tedious tasks and an unusual amount of paperwork. “The most challenging part is just making sure that all the papers and requirements we need are filled out and finished,” said Hurst.

Mr. Sills is a veteran educator, after having served as both a teacher at an elementary school in Georgia, and an EAST teacher at Buffalo Island Central. The move from classroom teacher to administration has been a big one for Mr. Sills, who now gets to see how the school operates from a whole new perspective.

Mr. Sills said that switching from a teacher to a principal is somewhat challenging. “I spent a long time having to only look after my classes, and now I have to look at the big picture,” said Sills. Sills went on to say that he has  enjoyed the experience of building relationships with the staff and student body in his new role.

While there will surely be many new obstacles for both Mr. Hurst and Mr. Sills as they navigate their important roles, the school year has started out very well in the hands of these two BIC Alumni who were former classmates, and now work as a dynamic duo who are responsible for making sure the school can continue to provide the best education possible for its students.