CHELSEA – Chelsea High School’s new principal brings to the community aspirations to help the school become one of the best in Alabama.

Brandon Turner was approved as principal of CHS by the Shelby County Schools Board of Education at its meeting on Tuesday, June 11.

“The attractive thing (about Chelsea) is the potential it has,” Turner said. “It’s a really exciting place to be.”

Turner becomes the top administrator at CHS after spending four years as principal at Montevallo High School, and replaces Wayne Trucks, who had been in the post since 2013 and left for a position with St. Clair County Schools.

Before that, Turner has served as a teacher, administrator and coach at Wadley, Ohatchee, Hueytown, McAdory, Vestavia Hills and Helena.

Turner graduated from Handley High School in Roanoke. He has earned three degrees from the University of Alabama: bachelor’s in social studies, masters in educational leadership and doctorate in educational administration.

Turner said he “thoroughly enjoyed” his time at Montevallo because of the faculty, staff and community.

“This has been a phenomenal opportunity,” he said. “Going to Chelsea, I don’t look at like it’s a better job but just a different opportunity.”

Turner pointed to four areas of focus early in his tenure: helping students achieve at the highest level possible, providing a school of which the community can be proud and preparing students for their next steps in life academically and outside the classroom, and producing the best possible citizens.

Already a quality school, Turner said he thinks Chelsea has a high ceiling because of the support it enjoys from the community.

“I want it to be one of the top 10 schools in the state,” Turner said. “I think they have that kind of capability.”