Franklin Academy principal hired

MALONE -- Malone Central School Board has hired a new principal for Franklin Academy.

Jerry Griffin will begin work as the new high-school principal on July 1.

Griffin, who will be paid $83,000, is replacing Donald Merrick, who has served as high school principal at Franklin Academy since 1998 and is now stepping down.

Griffin is in his third year as the principal at Bunker Hill High School in Claremont, N.C.

He has also served as an elementary school and middle school principal for four years in the same school system.

A graduate of Franklin Academy, Griffin and his family are looking forward to relocating back to northern New York, according to a news release from Malone Central School District.

Griffin attended SUNY Potsdam and has done graduate work at Gardner-Webb and Appalachian State colleges, receiving M.A. and Ed.S. degrees. He is completing work in Ed.D. at Appalachian State.

Merrick served for four years as assistant principal at Plattsburgh High School and for 22 years as a science teacher at Franklin Academy.

His 33 years of service to Malone Central School District students "have been marked by outstanding dedication to the education and well-being of thousands of students," the district said.