Cox Selected As Interim Thoreau Principal

Former Cluster II Director Ulysses Cox will step in as interim principal of as Fairfax County Public Schools begins the search for a new school leader, the system said Monday.

Former Principal Mark Greenfelder announced Nov. 1 to become principal of West Springfield High School, his alma mater.

Greenfelder, who had been at Thoreau for eight years, will start as head of West Springfield on Dec. 1.

A goodbye gathering was held for Greenfelder last Friday. Cox began at Thoreau on Monday.

A community meeting with school representatives for parents and other interested residents will begin at 7 p.m. tonight in the school's lecture hall. The meeting will explain the search process and solicit input from community members "to ensure that all voices are heard as part of this very important decision," Cluster II Assistant Superintendent Jim Kacur wrote in an email Monday.

FCPS hopes to name a new principal before the winter break, and have that person in place in early January, he said.