There will be some new faces at DeKalb County High School next year, and not from just the student body. Principal Randy Jennings and Assistant Principal David Gash have announced that they are moving on from the DeKalb County School System.
Jennings has been with the school system for 26 years, and as a principal for 21 years, with the last four serving as head man at DCHS. “I was at Smithville Elementary for five years, the DeKalb Middle School for 12 years,” Jennings told the Smithville Review.
“I just felt like it was time to move on in a different direction,” Jennings continued. “I’ve been a principal for a long time and I just thought it’s time. DeKalb County High School needs someone that is fully invested. I’ve been here a long time and I’m just looking to slow down a little bit.”
While Jennings said he is stepping down as principal, that doesn’t mean he is leaving the education system altogether. “I still want to stay in education,” Jennings explained. “I want to go back and teach and get back in the classroom. I’m going to work a few more years, but want to slow down some.”
Jennings has been a Tiger for a long time, being a star athlete and graduating from DCHS in 1989. From there he attended Motlow State Community College where he earned an Associate’s Degree, then he attended and played baseball at Cumberland University before transferring to MTSU for his Bachelor’s Degree. Jennings then went to Tennessee Tech where he earned his Masters and Education Specialist Degree.
Jennings later began teaching at DeKalb West School, taking over as boys and girls basketball coach for Danny Parkerson who had been promoted as principal. He would later move to Watertown High School, where he taught and coached baseball and girls basketball, before being named principal at Smithville Elementary School.
“As principal, you’re always on call,” Jennings said. “If something happens here in the middle of the night, you’re still principal. You’re responsible. You have to go. We’re looking forward to grandchildren and want to spend more time with our family.”
Assistant Principal David Gash had much the same sentiment, as he explained his reasons for stepping away from the school system. “I plan on visiting grandbabies a lot,” Gash said. “I’ve got two brand new grandbabies. One is about to turn three, and one is about to turn two. So, I’m planning on spending a lot of time with them.”
Gash has been serving the public for most of his life, spending 17 years with the sheriff’s department starting in 1988. “I was a deputy and later the first SRO (School Resource Officer) and spent five years in the school system as that,” he explained. “Then I went back to school, got my counseling degree, and started at the school system as a counselor, then worked my way up to assistant principal.”
“I’ll have 33 years in public service, so I’m stepping away to let somebody younger and with more energy to take over,” Gash said with a smile. “I’m a judicial commissioner now, part time. It’s only working one week, then off two weeks, so I’ll still be retired but will have something to keep me busy.”
“I’ve worked with a lot of great people,” Gash said. “I will miss them, and I’ll especially the kids.”
During the 2021 Graduation ceremony, Director of Schools Patrick Cripps told the crowd. “It’s not only is it an exciting time for you guys, it’s also a sad time for me. As you well know, Mr. Jennings and Mr. Gash are going to transition to different aspects of their lives. I just want to recognize them and thank them for their leadership and their dedication to our community. I got to work with these guys for over two decades, and they’re more than coworkers, they’re my friends and they will be sorely missed.”
