The Starkville Oktibbeha Consolidated School District named Howard Savage, Jr., principal of Starkville High School for the 2020-21 school year on Tuesday.
His hiring was approved by the Board of Trustees during their regular monthly meeting.
Savage, a former Mississippi Administrator of the Year, is currently principal of Quitman High School. In his current position, Savage also leads teacher mentoring, teacher recruitment, and teacher retention for the Quitman Consolidated School District.
Savage began his career in education as a classroom teacher in the Hattiesburg School District. He has also served as a lead teacher and assistant principal.
“Dr. Savage is a passionate, data-driven instructional leader with 14 years of experience in education,” said SOCSD Supt. Eddie Peasant. “He has a proven track record of teaching and leading with best instructional practices that improve and sustain student achievement.”
Savage holds a Doctorate of Education, Specialist of Education and Master of Education from William Carey University. He earned his Bachelor of Science in psychology from the University of Southern Mississippi.
Savage has been awarded five Administrator of the Year honors, including 2018 Mississippi Administrator of the Year. Most recently, Savage was recognized as 2019 Mississippi Theatre Association Administrator of the Year and 2019 Mississippi Alliance for Arts Education Administrator of the Year. In 2017, Savage was awarded Mississippi Association of Colleges for Teacher Education Administrator of the Year.
Savage has completed the Millsaps Principal’s Institute and the Mississippi School Boards Association Prospective Superintendent Leadership Academy.
Savage and his wife, Angela, have three children.
“My family and I are thrilled to be a part of the Jacket Nation, and we look forward to collaborating with all stakeholders to continue the tradition of excellence that exists at Starkville High School,” said Savage.
Savage assumes his new position July 1.
