Martin Grimm never intended to leave Centreville High after serving just two years as its principal. But then the principal of Hayfield Secondary School died, and that changed everything.

“Centreville’s a destination school – a place you go to stay,” said Grimm. “And I love Centreville. So when I announced I was leaving, last week, it caught people off guard.”

Hayfield’s principal, Dave Tremaine, died of cancer in June. “It was a very sad situation,” said Grimm. That left Hayfield without a leader and, since Grimm lives in that pyramid – the school’s just 15 minutes away from his house – he decided to apply for the job.

“It’s grades seven through 12, and I’ve always wanted to be principal of a secondary school,” he said. “If you get it right when kids are in middle school, it really impacts their lives all the way through school. And, for me, to be able to do that is very exciting. Hayfield’s a good school, but my goal is to build on what’s already there.”

After several interviews, Grimm found out he got the position, the beginning of last week, and announced it at Centreville last Tuesday, Sept. 16. Although it was sad news, he said, people understood his reasons for leaving – and they were personal, as well as professional.

“The Centreville kids are great, the faculty’s strong and the community’s very supportive,” he said. “But I spent so many late nights here that I was missing out on being with my own children, who are in third and fourth grades.”

For example, said Grimm, Centreville’s back-to-school night was Thursday, Sept. 11, followed by the Wildcats’ first home football game, Friday night, Sept. 12. “Since I got home so late each night, I tucked my kids in Wednesday night and didn’t see them again until Saturday morning,” he said. “Now, I’ll be able to be there for them all the time.”

“It’s important for me to strike that balance between school and home,” he continued. “Principals have an important job, but my first priority is to be a good father. And in my new position, I don’t have to sacrifice either part of my life.”

Calling Centreville High “a great place,” Grimm said some of the small changes he and the staff already put in place “will really pay off for the kids this year. We’ve had a renewed emphasis on collaboration among the teachers, paying close attention to student-achievement data and making sure every kid gets the best education we can give them.”

He said the school already had a good “student culture” when he arrived, but he and the faculty and staff made sure they fostered it. “Through our positive behavior reinforcement program, we’re able to recognize kids for a variety of good things they’re doing,” said Grimm. “We also take wellness screenings seriously and put additional security measures in the building.”

So while he’s looking forward to the next chapter in his life, he leaves Centreville with mixed feelings. “I’m going to miss everything,” he said. “Ninety-five percent of the time, I come to work, laugh and have fun. There are so many good students, teachers and parents here.”

Grimm will assume his new position next Wednesday, Oct. 1. Then Centreville Assistant Principal Rob Ewing will take the helm there as interim principal while the school system searches for Grimm’s replacement.

Meanwhile, he expresses his gratitude to the local community. “I want to say thank you,” he said. “Being the principal at Centreville has been a tremendous opportunity. People have been so gracious to me while I’ve been here, and even after I made the announcement – and that speaks volumes about this community.”