Forest Jones will take over July 1 as Andrew Lewis principal
SALEM – Jerry Campbell is retiring after 21 years as Andrew Lewis Middle School’s principal, and Forest Jones is stepping up.
It’s not official until tomorrow night, March 8, when Salem School Superintendent Dr. Alan Seibert’s endorsement is expected to be approved by the Salem School Board at its regular meeting.
Forest Jones will become Andrew Lewis Middle School principal July 1.
Jones has been on track to become principal, as an assistant principal since 2006 at Andrew Lewis where he taught social studies and coached for 11 years.
His name is familiar as a son of retired Salem City Manager Forest Jones, who has a different middle initial. The prospective principal’s mother, Betty, is retired South Salem Elementary reading teacher. Jones’ brother is also a teacher at Salem High School.
Jones was among students in the first sixth-grade class at Andrew Lewis when it became Salem’s middle school. He graduated from Salem High School in 1990, then went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in education and history from Roanoke College and a master’s from Hollins University in 2001. He earned his kindergarten-12 administration degree from Radford University.
Jones will officially become principal on July 1, and by then, should be Dr. Jones. In May, he is scheduled to complete a doctorate in educational leadership and policy at Virginia Tech.
Congratulations, Forest Jones, and thanks, Jerry Campbell. Welcome back, OurValley. We’ve missed you. To all of our readers, the site – which was hacked and inaccessible for 6 weeks – will be updated with past stories as time permits. Thanks for your patience.