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PHOENIX — Toby Walker, a veteran in the Phoenix-Talent School District, has been appointed interim principal at Phoenix High School for the coming academic year following the unexpected resignation of Don Rugraff in early July. Walker has been an assistant principal at the high school, and previously was head football coach and athletic director. The district School Board approved Walker’s appointment at its July 12 meeting after three candidates were interviewed, Superintendent Brent Barry said. “I’m honored and excited about the opportunity I have been given and the trust that has been given to me,” said Walker. Both Rugraff and previous Principal Jani Hale served as mentors, he said. A number of small projects the school is working on will continue, said Walker. He said the staff is constantly looking at current systems and making adjustments as it goes. The school has two assistant principal positions. Walker held the position that included athletic administration until he switched last year to concentrate on curriculum and student services. “(It) actually prepared him pretty well to round out his experience to be able to step into the principal role,” said Barry. Walker was Phoenix High head football coach from 2009 through 2015. He has worked in the Phoenix-Talent District for 12 years including teaching physical education at Orchard Hill Elementary School. Walker became an assistant principal at the high school five years ago. He has a master’s degree in teaching, an undergraduate degree from Southern Oregon University and taught one year in Ontario. He grew up in Burns. Rugraff served at Phoenix High School for two years before family circumstances led him to relocate to Florida, said Barry. Rugraff became principal when Hale retired after 13 years in the position in 2016. He’d previously been a principal in Missouri. “He really helped us take over for Jani, then work through the bond planning,” said Barry. “He was experienced in that.” District voters approved a bond measure last fall that includes a $48 million rebuild of the high school. Final design is underway and work will probably begin next spring. Dave Ehrhardt will remain in his position as assistant principal and athletic director, a role he took on last year when Walker shifted duties. Walker’s former position has been advertised and the district hopes to fill it during the first part of August. A decision on filling the principal seat permanently will likely be made early next year, Barry said. Tony Boom is an Ashland freelance writer. Reach him at [email protected].