Kris Samick named interim PES principal

With Patricksburg Elementary School (PES) Principal Mike Robison on medical leave, Spencer-Owen Community Schools (S-OCS) Superintendent Andy Cline had a quick turnaround to find an interim principal.

Looking for someone to be the heart of the building, as well as having the qualifications, Cline spoke to consulting groups — who specialize in short-term and interim principal placements — other superintendents and other principals for guidance for the best solution.

As the first day of school marched closer and closer, Cline found a natural fit for the position and the school in Kris Samick.

"The elementary principal, like all principals, should be the 'heart' of the building," Cline said via email. "This should be an individual who can quickly and easily assess the needs and culture of the community they are serving. It should also be someone who is willing to take that information and enact positive change, which will support, challenge and empower our students and staff. [Samick] has done that."

Samick has worked 31 years in the S-OCS system, serving various roles as a teacher at both Spencer Elementary School and PES, and as S-OCS Director of Communications. Now she's adding PES Interim Principal of the 2025-26 school year to her roster.

S-OCS School Board President Derek Morgan shares Cline's sentiments about what a principal should be, adding that the principal should have an understanding of the school and the community.

"[Samick] is very familiar with that school," Morgan said. "Patricksburg being a smaller elementary school that is a close-knit community … I think she fits in really well."

Along with teaching at PES for 17 years, Samick's daughters also attended the school, showing her "first-hand the powerful impact this school community can have on a child's life."

With her combined personal and professional background, Samick feels like she has built a solid foundation that led her to the principal role.

"My path to becoming a principal was built on a foundation of classroom teaching, advanced education and a commitment to taking on leadership roles," Samick said via email. "Early in my career, my years as a classroom teacher provided invaluable experience and a deep understanding of pedagogical best practices, student needs and the challenges educators face daily."

With her first day at, what she lovingly calls, the 'Burg being July 31, she started two days before teachers started and four for students, giving her some time to prepare for the school year.

To start a smooth transition, she started by doing what she's known for, organizing. Beyond cleaning the office and taking inventory of staff, schedules and hiring needs, she focused on one of her main priorities, making sure curriculums were ready and her staff had the necessary training to implement it.

To help assist with Samick's transition and her time in the position, she has the support of the other S-OCS elementary principals, providing a resource to bounce off ideas with, Cline said.

Along with the principals, Cline himself has been a resource for Samick. He meets or calls with her daily, and he plans to continue to do so.

As Samick has been working and settling into her new position, Cline and Samick have created a running joke between them of "whose going home first?"

"I have been calling at 6 to 6:30 each evening before I leave the office, telling her to head home," Cline said via email. "I think she has stopped taking my calls when she sees my name pop up on the phone."

Cline said this shows her level of commitment and dedication to the success of Patricksburg, while she also is continuing her work as the communications director.

Moving from the district office, where Samick focused on the whole corporation, she's shifting her focus to be more singular, focusing on one building.

With this shift, she plans on creating a positive school culture by being visible and approachable to her staff, her students and their parents.

"I believe in positive and consistent communication with everyone who walks through the doors of Patricksburg Elementary," she said via email. "My challenge to myself and the staff is to approach each day with the focus of 'How can I help our students be successful today?' Likewise, when a parent has a question or concern brought to me, I like to start the conversation with 'How can I help you today?' Students, parents and staff must work together to ensure a successful academic year."

On top of her shifting focus, she's also appreciated how generational the school is, teaching the children of students she taught while being a teacher at Patricksburg.

As she settles into her position, starting her days off with her students and teachers with a corny joke over the intercom, she hopes to show students that school can be fun and that they'll enjoy coming to learn.

She wants the Patricksburg community to know she is "100 percent invested in the success of PES," and that she believes it's "important to look for solutions to problems, be understanding of different situations that our students face on a daily basis, and help students realize that education is something to be valued."