Assistant principal Tiffany Lowe will be Central’s new head principal starting in the 2026-27 school year.
She will succeed Matt Brungardt, who resigned his position a few weeks ago.
Lowe said her experience at Central will be a big advantage as she navigates her new role.
“It will be an easier transition than if I was coming from the outside to the inside,” Lowe said. “I think knowing the kids, the staff, and the families will be the best thing for me, because I’ll know the things that have already happened at Central.”
English teacher Trey Cullins said Lowe becoming head principal will continue Central’s positive direction and culture.
“She has a clear sense of expectation, accountability and boundaries,” Cullins said. “She seeks to hear others’ perspectives before making decisions, and I hope to see that sense of voice continue to be present within staff and students. I think she’s up for the task.”
Junior Kristina Perkins said she thinks Lowe will fill her new role nicely because of how dedicated she is to the student body and staff.
“As a student, she always brings a warm, welcoming feeling,” Perkins said. “I stop her in the hallways when I see her, and it’s very friendly. You can talk to her about anything.”
As she transitions to head principal, Lowe anticipates the shift in her day-to-day role to be more focused on working with staff rather than in student discipline.
The interviews for assistant principal will take place next week.
“I think that as we hire another assistant principal, we’ll work with each other to find each other’s strengths and weaknesses and kind of redefine what each job looks like,” she said.
Ensuring things are streamlined and concise for staff and students, as well as making sure students feel connected, are Lowe’s biggest priorities for next year.
“I think that when those things happen, students want to come to school, and that makes school a better place to be,” Lowe said. “I’m excited about a lot of the positive movements we have in a variety of different places.”
While Lowe is in her fourth year as assistant principal at Central, administration was not always her goal.
“I was actually working with elementary school age, as I was in student support,” Lowe said. “I realized that the power of changing things for people and for our community is in the high school with kids that are here.”
Lowe has worked as a special education teacher, first grade teacher, elementary lead teacher, and director of student support services, with 15 years in USD 305. Her bachelor’s degree is in elementary special education, and her master’s is in educational leadership.
Cullins said Lowe has shown herself to be someone who follows through with what she says.
“Most in education want the best for these individuals, but oftentimes Ms. Lowe will give a sense of action after, rather than just words,” he said. “She walks the walk, rather than just talks the talk.”
Lowe also periodically checks in with staff members about elements of their personal lives, Cullins said.
“I think that goes a long way in terms of building staff morale and making people feel heard and valued,“ Cullins said. “Most people would agree that interactions with her evoke a sense of authenticity and personal care.”
Perkins recalls meeting Lowe at her freshman orientation.
“She felt like this person was going to help us through our high school career, and she has,” Perkins said. “She’s always out, always excited to see everybody, and always attends football games, basketball games, literally anything that has to do with the student body, because she enjoys not only her job, but she enjoys having that connection with kids.”
