Jay Wood returned to his roots in 2015.

Now he’s sticking to those roots and carrying on a family tradition.

Wood was unanimously approved Monday as the new principal at Kingfisher High School at the June regular meeting of the Kingfisher Board of Education.

It’s a short move for Wood, who has served as the assistant principal and athletic director the last two years.

He takes over for Todd Overstreet who accepted the high school principal position in Watonga in April after seven years at KHS.

Wood is the first major hire of new KPS Superintendent Dr. Daniel Craig.

Both are KHS alums: Craig in 1989 and Wood the year after.

“Jay had full support of the board even before I was hired,” said Craig, who was hired at the May meeting.

“Jay and I spoke quite a bit before I officially started. I asked what his vision was for the high school staff, students, parents, curriculum and extracurricular activities. His ideas lined right up with mine.”

It didn’t hurt that Wood was a familiar face.

“Though that was 30 years ago, I knew him to be a person of integrity and the right mindset for the job,” Craig said.

“So honestly, it was a pretty easy decision to make on my part.”

After graduating from KHS, Wood earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Central Oklahoma in 1995 and later a master’s in school administration from Southwestern Oklahoma State University.

After multiple coaching stops, Wood returned to his alma mater to take over the KHS girls basketball program in 2015.

He coached four seasons before sliding into the AD and assistant principal position.

Wood is the son of Judy Wood and the late Sam Wood, both of whom are in the Kingfisher High School Hall of Fame.

Sam Wood was the Gilmour Elementary principal from 1985-97.

Following in his father’s footsteps has been a goal of Jay Wood.

“He’s probably the main reason I am even in education and pursued getting an administrative degree,” Jay Wood said.

“I wish I still had the phone line open to talk and receive advice from him. I’m hoping that my legacy here when I am done is half of what his is still today.”

Wood said he’s ready to make his mark.

“I’m excited for the opportunity to continue to lead Kingfisher High School in its high academic standards and excellence in the classrooms, on the playing fields, concert halls and agriculture fields,” he said.

“I look forward to continued success and advancing and making us more competitive in what I consider to be the greatest school system in Oklahoma.”

Wood wasn’t the only KPS staff member to receive a promotion Monday - not even in his own family.

Libby Wood - Jay’s wife - was approved as the new alternative education director.

Libby Wood joined the district at the alternative school prior to this past school year.

Just as the school year began, Clifford Benson transitioned from Gilmour principal to alternative education and transportation director.

Benson retired effective at the end of the school year.

Coye Altizer was named the new plant manager as he steps into the role filled by the retiring Gary Sewell, who has been with the district for nearly two decades.

Sewell’s resignation was one of four accepted.

The others were Kathy Kadavy, who was a part-time librarian after a lengthy full-time career at KPS; Theresa Layn, KHS counselor’s assistant; and Melissa Kiser, cashier and aide at Gilmour Elementary.

A number of part-time summer hires were also approved after the 52-minute executive session.

Those were Cash Slezickey, Noah Friesen, Andrea Jimenez, Carmen Gutierrez, Catalina Garcia, Lissetthe De la Torre, Emily Myers, Amanda Farris, Laci Homier, Isaac Waltman, Derek Patterson, Stuart Purintun, Bryan Dutton, Stan Blundell, Jeff Myers, Jared Reese, Chris Combs, Mallory Kusik, Taylor Cooper, Morgan Marks and Carma Reagan.