In spite of the board’s approval Thursday night of her transfer from the Central Office to the principal’s position at Greenville Middle School, it appears Dr. Kathy Murphy is, indeed, heading to Pike County.

“I have accepted a position in the Troy City School System as principal of Charles Henderson High School,” Murphy said Friday in a prepared statement.

Murphy, who has served for 17 years as a school administrator in Butler County, said she was contacted by the Troy City School System about the position. CHHS’s former principal, David Helms, has moved to a central office role in the Troy system.

“Mr. Helms and I were friends and classmates at Troy State University, and I look forward to working with him in his new role,” Murphy said. “I am excited about the opportunities for professional growth that await me in Troy.”

Murphy, a Greenville native, began her tenure in Butler County as principal of Greenville Middle School, where she served for six years. She spent nine years as principal at Greenville High School, before moving to the Central Office as an administrative assistant two years ago. She was one of four finalists for the position of superintendent of the Butler County School System in the spring of 2010.

Murphy expressed gratitude to Butler County as the place where she was reared and educated, and the place she chose to rear and educate her daughter.

“It has been my great privilege to be a part of the lives of children in Butler County these 17 years . . . I hope and I pray that in some small way I have helped guide the life of a child for better,” Murphy said.

“This county is truly blessed to have so many outstanding educators, and I encourage the community to continue to support their work.”

Butler County Schools superintendent Darren Douthitt said he had only spoken “very briefly” with Murphy, but personally wished her the best of luck in the position she has taken.

Murphy’s acceptance of the CHHS position means the BCSS is still without principals at Greenville High School and Greenville Middle School. Douthitt expressed hopes those positions would be filled “very soon.”