SOUTH POINT — After five and a half years in the school district, South Point High School Principal Ben Coleman is saying good-bye to students at the end of the month.

Coleman was recently hired as director of district-wide programs for Fairview Independent Schools in Boyd County, Kentucky, a job he will begin on January 1.

His last day with students in South Point will be on Dec. 21, as they depart for Christmas break.

“I’ve had a great staff here and it’s hard to replace that, but an opportunity was offered that was hard to turn down,” Coleman said.

Coleman came to the district in fall 2013, first taking the administrative position at the middle school, before becoming the high school’s principal the following school year, succeeding Jayshree Shah.

He said the thing he is most proud of during his tenure is “the success of the students.”

“We have a great group of students at South Point,” Coleman said. “They’ve worked hard.”

He said the school has also worked hard to “increase the rigor of our academics,” improve career-readiness programs and made strides in discipline.

“The teachers job is to teach,” Coleman said, stating that he worked to handle discipline to free them up to that job.

South Point Superintendent Mark Christian said the district is taking applications for a new principal. He said he has a few possible candidates and hopes they can find someone for the job by January.

Christian said he enjoyed working with Coleman, whom he recommended for the position at the middle school.

“He brought many changes and was innovative,” Christian said. “He really cared about the staff and students. He was super energetic and took any project and got the job done right. I really hate to see him leave, but I understand.”

Coleman said he would miss serving the district.

“I want to thank Mr. Christian, the community, students and staff,” he said. “I really enjoyed these five years.”