South Green Elementary Principal Josh Turner said he will be stepping down at the school's leader at the end of the school year in order to have more available time with his family. He will likely transition into a teaching position at South Green or Highland Elementary. Michael Crimmins/Glasgow News 1
By MICHAEL CRIMMINS
Glasgow News 1
Josh Turner has decided to step down as the South Green Elementary School principal at the end of the current academic year.
The decision was a “bittersweet” one, Turner told Glasgow News 1, but one that he felt was necessary because it would allow him to spend more time with his wife and two daughters — Sarah and Leah.
“The main reason for this decision is that a principal’s role involves many long work days and many days away from home,” Turner wrote in a brief statement. “My daughters are getting older and I want to be more present for my family during these final, precious years at home.”
“You can’t do everything in life. It’s about priorities; everything in life is a trade off, so if you’re doing this you’re not doing that,” Turner added during a Glasgow News 1 interview. “At the end of the day, when I look back at my life, I’m going to feel very good about my experience here at South Green, but the main thing that’s going to be at the forefront of my mind: Was I a good father and a good husband?”
A principal position has an additional 55 days — mostly during the summer, but also during breaks, Turner said — that a teacher does not, which, on top of the “mental hours,” can make a busy year, according to Turner. He added that he knew the principal position would “impact time with [his] family,” but has no regret serving in this position for roughly 5 years.
“If you’re doing right by kids just because you’re at home doesn’t mean you’re not constantly trying to improve the school, so it’s a job with long hours and a long year, and at a certain point it gets difficult to balance with a family,” Turner said. “This [decision] was about reclaiming more time with my family.”
“Any person that wants to be a good leader is going to be thinking about [the job] all the time, so even though I’m home my mind is on work,” Turner added.
Per policy, Turner is guaranteed a position in the school district. He will likely be placed as a teacher in either South Green or Highland Elementary, if no positions become available at the central office, Turner said.
“I’m looking to serve the district in a different capacity,” Turner said. “It’s really wherever the openings are. Ultimately, It would be up to the superintendent to decide where.”
Superintendent Chad Muhlenkamp told Glasgow News 1 that he was grateful for Turner’s strong leadership. The superintendent learned of Turner’s decision over Christmas Break,
“I was fortunate to serve as his principal and see the great work he did in the classroom,” Muhlenkamp said. “South Green opened a new building and made strong academic gains under his leadership. We are grateful for Josh and his leadership.”
The new building, which was opened in 2024, and the academic gains are two of the things Turner said he was most proud to see happen during his principalship, in addition to the positive change in school climate.
Turner said he greatly enjoyed his time at the helm, and is looking forward to continuing serving students in the Glasgow Independent School District.
“I am confident [South Green Elementary] will be in good hands and the future looks bright,” Turner said. “I feel very blessed that I got to lead such a great group of students and adults. I have loved leading this school.”
Turner became the assistant principal in 2021 under the former principal, Bobbie Sue Holmes. After her departure, Turner became the interim, then full, elementary school principal in 2022-2023.
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