Moody High School principal Dale Stripling will leave his post early next month to take a position with Jefferson County Schools.

Moody High School principal Dale Stripling announced to his faculty last Friday that he has accepted a position with Jefferson County Schools, which he will begin early next month.

Stripling, who has led Moody High School since 2007, has been hired as the Jefferson County Board of Education’s attendance supervisor. The position puts Stripling in charge of truancy matters, the school system’s Early Warning program, as well as residence verification and school zoning matters.

Stripling reflected on his years at the helm of Moody High School. “I think that Moody is a progressive community that is changing as people from Birmingham move out. It is transitioning from the rural, blue-collar community from a few years ago to a suburban-type community. That transition also carries over to the schools, and because of this we had to adapt and adjust as far as culture and teaching strategies. I think in the four-plus years, we have adjusted pretty well to this new environment.”

Stripling added that he will miss the relationships he has made with Moody’s community members, students and faculty. “I’ve already gotten some letters from kids that have made me cry,” he said.

The St. Clair County Board of Education is currently seeking a replacement. The position will be publicly posted, and the Board will accept applications through Oct. 7.