OKEECHOBEE- Yearling Middle School will be on the hunt for a new principal starting this summer.

This week current YMS principal David Krakoff announced in a letter to staff that he has accepted a position with the School District of Lancaster in Pennsylvania.

Krakoff is originally from Pennsylvania and says the new job will allow him to be close to his family again.

“I have always been and will always be grateful to all of you for your hard work and commitment to our YMS community,” Krakoff stated in the letter. “ Our YMS community is built on people who are willing to work together as a team for the greater good, to serve our staff and community as a whole, and to improve the educational process for all students, academically, culturally, and socially and emotionally. I will always fondly remember my partnership with you and what we accomplished for our kids.”

During his tenure at YMS, the school had consecutive Okeechobee County Teachers of the Year, including Kellyann Campbell and the 2021 Florida Teacher of the Year, Krista Stanley. In the last three years YMS managed a double-digit increase in overall school grade points, an increase in student daily attendance rates, and a 70% reduction in student suspension rates.

“I wish YMS and Okeechobee County School District continued growth moving forward and am thankful I was honored to be part of your leadership team,” concluded Krakoff. “I will finish my time as YMS principal through the school year serving with the same urgency for growth and commitment to all students and staff as I’ve always had and will always hold Okeechobee in warm regard. Let’s finish this wildly unique and challenging school year strong for our entire YMS community and position our school for an even stronger 2021-2022 school year and beyond.”