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Michelle Kefford Named New Principal Of Marjory Stoneman Douglas High

PARKLAND (CBSMiami) - Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland has a new principal.

Broward schools superintendent Robert Runcie made it official Monday afternoon, announcing that Flanagan High School Principal Michelle Kefford will fill the top spot.

"We are grateful to Michelle for taking on this challenge. It speaks volumes to the type of leader she is," said Runcie.

Kefford was recently named Florida's 2019 Principal of the Year.

Michelle Kefford
Michelle Kefford (Source: Florida Dept. of Education)

"This is a coming home for me" said Kefford.

She started her teaching career at MSD as a biology teacher and she says she lives in Parkland.

Kefford will replace Ty Thompson and co-principal Teresa Hall.

Thompson announced last Friday he will be leaving the school at the end of the year, citing health and family issues.

Thompson is under investigation by the Broward School District related to the deadly shooting at the campus last year in which 17 students and faculty were killed.

School board member Lori Alhadeff, whose daughter was killed in the mass shooting, says Kefford will be a breath of fresh air.

Alhadeff and some other parents have been critical of Thompson's leadership before the massacre.

"He was not involved in threat assessments that led up to the shooting. There was no accountability," she said. "Michelle Kefford will be a huge asset and help with the healing process."

Kefford said her son is a freshman at Stoneman Douglas this year and saw the tragedy unfold while he was at Westglades Middle next door.

"He saw the kids evacuate the campus," she explained.

Kefford said security will be a top priority.

"I will do everything I can to ensure the safety of everyone who walks on my campus. I refer to my staff as family, that's how I operate," said Kefford.

The full school board will vote on the appointment in June, according to the superintendent

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