A week ago, the Wellsville-Middletown R-I School District found a new superintendent.

Now, the school district is looking for a new junior high/high school principal and activities director.

Jessie Cobb resigned as W-M’s junior high/high school principal and activities director to accept the assistant principal job at Montgomery County High School for the 2023-24 school year. She turned in her resignation at a special board meeting on June 14 at W-M.

“During my time at W-M R-I, I have worked with amazing individuals who care about every student and the education that he or she is receiving,” Cobb said in a statement. “Thank you for challenging me, believing in me, putting education first and advocating for our students. I value you and all of the great things you do and we have done for our students. However, I feel that this decision is the best for me and my family. Thank you for the opportunity to lead such an amazing school, staff and community.”

Effective July 1, Cobb will replace Richele Falloon as the MCHS assistant principal. Falloon was named the W-M superintendent on June 5, replacing Dr. Erin Oligschlaeger, who resigned in May after three years to accept an assistant superintendent position at the Moberly School District.

Cobb worked at W-M for six years. She served as a teacher and coach at the R-II school district for many years before heading to W-M. Cobb is a 1999 MCHS graduate.

“Ms. Cobb is a very knowledgeable educator, cares about student success, and always had good ideas to share on educational improvement and processes,” Oligschlaeger said in a statement. “During her six years at W-M R-I, she contributed to multiple successes including response to intervention at the secondary level. I wish her the best of luck as she returns to her alma mater.”

W-M R-I Board President Christine Rutherford said the principal position was posted as of June 15. The board is currently taking applications.

“The next meeting is on the 29th, but we may have a special meeting before then if we decide to hire somebody,” Rutherford said. “Hopefully, by the 29th, we’ll have somebody hired.”

Oligschlaeger said the activities director position – which is an extra-duty position – is also currently posted and hopes it will be filled before July. The activities director is in charge of six programs at the high school (softball, cross country, boys and girls basketball, baseball and track) and four at the junior high school (boys and girls basketball, cross country and track).

Cobb enjoyed success during her six-year tenure as W-M activities director that included a third-place state finish from the boys cross country team in 2021, a fourth-place state finish from the boys basketball team in 2022, two district titles from the baseball team in 2019 and 2021 and a district championship from the boys track team in May.

Cobb has been in the education business for 20 years. While working at R-II, she coached the softball, basketball and golf teams and headed the student council group. She graduated with a Bachelor’s degree from Westminster College and a Master’s degree from William Woods University.