Memphis Raleigh-Egypt principal will return to Bolton High School

A principal who shepherded academic growth at a high-profile Memphis school will return to the school where he previously served as assistant principal.

James “Bo” Griffin has been tapped to lead Bolton High School after completing this school year at Raleigh-Egypt Middle-High School, a spokeswoman for Shelby County Schools confirmed Wednesday.

Shari Meeks, who led Oakhaven Middle School off the state’s list of lowest performing schools without the extra resources from the district’s turnaround initiative, will replace him.

Raleigh-Egypt is set to enter the Innovation Zone this fall, and schools that join the district’s turnaround program often undergo major leadership and staffing changes.

Griffin took the helm of Raleigh-Egypt High in 2014 just as the state-run Achievement School District announced it would take over the high school because of chronically low test scores. Within the year, the school boasted some of the biggest gains in the district, sparing it from eligibility for state intervention.

Last fall, he led the school as middle school grades were added in response to the ASD’s takeover of the adjacent Raleigh-Egypt Middle. The changes created a unique campus with two schools run by separate districts.

Griffin was an administrator at Bolton High before coming to Raleigh-Egypt. His return there was decided before the district’s decision to transition Raleigh-Egypt to the iZone, said spokeswoman Natalia Powers.

He replaces Bolton High Principal Chad Stevens, whose removal sparked parent and student protest.

Editor’s note, June 14, 2017: This story has been updated with Griffin’s replacement at Raleigh-Egypt Middle-High School.