The new principal of Louisiana High School sees success of the district as a personal as well as professional consideration.

Derrick Branstetter is taking over from Todd Smith, who recently was named to replace retiring superintendent Doctor Richard Basden.

Branstetter is a 1995 Louisiana graduate and has spent eight of the last 14 years teaching and coaching in the district.

He says he looks forward to implementing educational improvements and working in the new role with staff and students.

Branstetter got undergraduate degrees from Missouri Baptist University and a master’s degree in educational administration from Williams Woods University. He calls his time at Louisiana the best of his career.