By FULLER ROYAL

The Columbus County Schools Board of Education moved two principals to teaching jobs Monday night, ending both men’s tenures at the helms of their schools after one year.

Chadbourn Elementary Principal Emmett Lay and Evergreen Elementary Principal Lang Kinlaw have both opted to return to their teaching roots.

While the move is unprecedented in Columbus County, it’s not entirely unusual these days for principals to return to the classroom, despite lower pay.

These had been the first principal posts for both men. Each had served in various teaching capacities and as assistant principals – Lay at West Columbus High and Kinlaw at Central Middle in Whiteville.

Lay will work as a social studies teacher and coach at West Columbus High School. Kinlaw will serve as a mathematics teacher and coach at East Columbus High School.

Kinlaw and Lay had no comment about their moves, nor did Superintendent Dan Strickland.