Scott Pfeifer, principal of Centennial High School, is bidding adieu to the Howard County school system later this month to fill a key role in a statewide testing program.

As of July 1, Pfeifer will lead the state department of education's efforts to boost students' performance on a battery of state-mandated exams known as the High School Assessments, and state efforts to reform the assessment program. He will replace retiring R. Daniel Cunningham at the helm of the state's Instructional Assessment Office.

In his new position, Pfeifer will be working with educators to help students who haven't been able to pass the tests, which measure students' proficiency in algebra, English, biology and government, to undertake alternate projects for an equivalent of a passing score, said Bill Reinhard, spokesman for the state Department of Education. A passing test score or qualifying project is slated to be a requirement for graduation beginning with the class of 2009.

"We are extremely fortunate to have Mr. Pfeifer joining us," state Superintendent Nancy Grasmick said in a statement. "He will be able to step right in and maintain our progress."

Pfeifer, who has worked for Howard schools for 34 years, is going to the state on loan from the county, Howard Superintendent Sydney Cousin said. He added that he thought it would be "selfish" for the county to have a monopoly on Pfeifer's talent, and he encouraged Pfeifer to pursue the opportunity with the state.

"A loan is much better than a gift in this case," Cousin said with a laugh, adding that he hopes to welcome Pfeifer back to the county in the future.

Pfeifer, 55, said he is looking forward to the move, but that he will miss his regular interaction with students.

"It keeps you young," he added of interacting with students. " ... Being a principal is just a great job. I always wanted to be a principal, and it didn't disappoint."

Principal at three schools

In addition to his most recent role at Centennial, Pfeifer served as principal of Atholton High School in Columbia, which received a Blue Ribbon award under his leadership, and River Hill High School in Clarksville, which he helped to open in 1996.

Cousin placed Pfeifer at Centennial in 2004, following a turbulent period at the Ellicott City school that included allegations of grade-changing.

At the time of accepting the job, Pfeifer said the school needed "a trust-building exercise."

In reflecting on his time at Centennial this week, Pfeifer said he feels he accomplished that goal by renewing trust between parents, students and staff through his effort to make school policies and procedures transparent.

"There weren't any secrets here," he said. "That's how we forged that bond."

Under Pfeifer's leadership, Centennial students continued to post some of the highest scores in the county on standardized tests, and the school was named annually to Newsweek magazine's list of the top schools in the country.

His tenure at Centennial was not free of controversy, however.

In 2005, a teacher at the school sued school leaders, including Pfeifer, alleging that she experienced racial harassment there.

The teacher won her claim during a jury trial last summer. Ultimately, school officials dropped their appeal and settled with the teacher in April.

Pfeifer declined to comment on the suit.

Pfeifer is being replaced at Centennial by Carl Perkins, current principal of Folly Quarter Middle School. Perkins said he is excited about returning to the school where he began his career in the county as a teacher.

"I am going into a very good situation, and am looking forward to working with everyone to make it even better," he said.

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