It is a mixture of both happiness and sadness when someone important leaves for bigger and brighter things. The residents of Lakewood with children attending Lakewood Elementary School likely felt this way when principal Michelle Thompson announced she was leaving Lakewood Elementary to take over as principal at W.T. White High School.

W.T. White first contacted Principal Thompson on Monday, July 9 and everything was made official by Wednesday. However, the departure of Principal Thompson won't be too jarring - teachers, new and old, school staff and calendar events are all in place and will remain the same.

The new principal of Lakewood Elementary has been hired yet. However, the plan is for the new principal to be hired by next Monday, July 23.