Jacquelyn Moore, principal at Davis Senior High School the past three years, will not return for her fourth, according to Davis school board leaders. They say they will soon start a national search for her successor.

"She will not be back with us in the fall," said Sheila Allen, president of the Davis Board of Education. "She was released."

Board members made the decision in closed session at their regular meeting Thursday, Allen said.

Per policy, the Board of Education may "authorize the demotion or reassignment" of an administrator or supervisor "in the best interest of the district."

Allen said the board plans to launch its search in the next two months.

The board was scheduled to review administrators in closed session at the meeting and said the board typically makes decisions on personnel in March in preparation for the fall term.

Moore, principal at Davis High since 2010, had told the Davis Enterprise newspaper in the days prior to the board meeting that she would step down before the fall 2013 term, citing "philosophical differences" with Davis Board of Education leaders. She did not elaborate and has since not responded to interview requests.

Moore's supporters on Tuesday noted her efforts to narrow the achievement gap and broaden educational opportunities for the school's underserved students.

Moore was a vice principal at Florin High School in the Elk Grove Unified School District before taking the principal's job in Davis.

According to news reports at the time of her joining Davis Senior High School, Moore was lauded for her work in Advanced Placement and with underserved students.

On Tuesday, Davis Senior High School PTA President Cathy Farman said her group was "pleased with (Moore's) efforts to improve educational offerings at the school.

"She was focused on the achievement gap. She seemed to take that project on," Farman said. "I have no way to quantify her success, but it seemed to me there was progress."

Leigh Choate, a physical education teacher at the high school, said she was "incredibly disappointed" by the board's decision not to keep Moore as principal.

Choate, a Davis High alum and a teacher at the school for 17 years, said she was impressed by Moore's work with the campus' underprivileged students and said Moore held the board accountable. "Wherever she goes, it'll be a lucky district," Choate said.

On Tuesday, board President Allen said the board appreciated her service.

"We thank her for her service in helping to move the high school forward over the last few years," Allen said.

Call The Bee's Darrell Smith, (916) 321-1040

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