Hickman high school principal to take job at CPS central office
Steven Lambson
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
The head principal of Hickman High School announced Tuesday she is taking a job at the Columbia Public Schools central office.
ABC 17 News got a copy of an e-mail from Mary Grupe in which she said she accepted the position of Director of Student Support for CPS. The district told ABC 17 News that Grupe will take over for current director Vince Thompson, who announced his retirement earlier this year.
Grupe, who graduated from Hickman in 2001, took the head principal job at the school ahead of the 2022-23 school year.
“Thank you for trusting me with the incredible honor of serving as principal of this one-of-a-kind school community,” Grupe said in her message. “As a graduate of Hickman, and as someone whose family’s story is deeply connected to this school, this role has meant more to me than I can fully express.”
Grupe has spent nearly her entire educational career with Columbia Public Schools. She has been a teacher, a learning specialist, a case manager, an instructional aide, and an assistant principal at Rock Bridge High School.
“The very best part of Hickman is our students, and I have loved every moment of supporting them,” Grupe said in her message. “Hickman will always be part of who I am. Once a Kewpie, always a Kewpie.”