In 1983, David Ross Renfrow graduated from North Johnston High School in Kenly. Nearly 20 years later, Renfrow returned as principal. Most recently, he has been principal of Corinth Holders High School.

Now, Renfrow is moving to the school system's central office as a deputy superintendent. The way he sees it, it's time to truly give back to the school system that raised him.

The Johnston County Board of Education on Jan. 10 approved Renfrow's promotion to executive director for administrative services, a job he will begin March 1. The role will prepare him to eventually fill the shoes of Shelly Marsh, a deputy superintendent who plans to retire later this year.

"I'm so thrilled to think that (Superintendent Ed Croom) and the board think I'd be a good addition to his cabinet," Renfrow said.

The promotion is welcome news after more than a year of emotional upheaval for the Renfrow family. Renfrow's wife, Amy, lost her battle with cancer in December.

When he received the promotion phone call from Croom the evening of Jan. 10, Renfrow called his three children together. "I said, 'We need to have a family meeting,' and everyone said, 'What's wrong?'" he recalled. "I said, 'No, I hope it's good news.' When I told them, they were very excited."

Renfrow said he wished his wife, the former principal at Corinth-Holders Elementary, could have lived to see his accomplishment. "If it had been six weeks earlier, that would have been very special for her to know it," he said. "But I know she's in heaven today. She's my angel and I know she's excited."

When Renfrow began pursuing his doctorate at East Carolina University, his wife was supportive in the face of long hours and the added stress, he said. "This is something that Amy wanted to see happen," she said. "You know, I drag in at 9:30, 10 o'clock from doctoral class, and she was always there with a smile, asking, 'How was class?'"

After more than two years at Corinth Holders, Renfrow said, it will be hard to leave the high school environment, which he's come to love. "I really think we have started something very special at Corinth Holders High School," he said.

The school is still too young to have a senior class, and Renfrow won't be there next year to see the freshmen he started with walk across the stage.

"Not being able to hand that group their diplomas next year tugs at your heart," Renfrow said.

"I really enjoy the high school environment," he added. "It's a challenging job, but it's a very rewarding job to see students grow and mature and be successful. So not being in touch with that on a day-to-day basis is very, very bittersweet."

Renfrow will be working on the district-wide reassignment plan alongside Marsh. He'll also be shadowing Marsh in June and August to learn how the district closes and starts a school year.

Renfrow's new salary will be $90,924. The school system has not named his successor at Corinth Holders.