New King High School Principal Ready To Go

Mike Rowan is no stranger to . He graduated from King in 1987 and has returned off and on since that time in different roles as a social studies teacher and a soccer coach.

Now he will be leading the school.

Rowan comes to King from his role as an assistant principal for administration at Wharton High School. He and his young family moved from Temple Terrace to Pebble Creek in the North Tampa area after he took the position at Wharton.

Although he said he’s enjoyed his time as an AP at Wharton, he said he’s looking forward to returning to King.

“One of my first goals starting off is to get to know the kids, let them know who I am, my history with the school and my commitment to them.”

King High School has an enrollment of approximately 2,000 students. Rowan said he wants to ensure Temple Terrace families know about all the great programs and opportunities for students and are comfortable with King as their high school.

“Eight of our teachers last year were successful funding their projects through the DonorsChoose.org fundraising Web site. I don’t think many people know that King’s Relay for Life team is one of the most successful in the country, raising over $100,000 last year.

“Every time I’ve returned to King over the years, it seems like I’ve come back to a new school in some ways. My official start date isn’t until Monday, July 25, and I feel that one of my first big challenges is to lead the school through all the changes coming our way without losing the traditions that make King the A-rated school it is today.”

King students have many great academic options, including the top rated International Baccalaureate (IB) program, King’s Advanced Placement Scholars (KAPS) program, and the Culinary Arts track. STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) middle school students from  will find connecting course work at King through the robotics program.

“One of my priorities is to work to strengthen community connections with the school,” Rowan said. “We can do this by making sure students, administrators and teachers are participating in all the local events. If we continue to build strong relationships with Temple Terrace people and organizations, we’ll have their support. I’d like to see an active alumni association.”

Rowan said he remembers when he was a student seeing members of the Kiwanis Club of Temple Terrace at athletic games managing cookouts. He said he’d like to see that sort of involvement again, and partnerships with the , the Junior League, the Garden Club and particularly the 

The first open house for incoming students is Aug. 18, and Rowan said staff is still finalizing exact times, so families should call the school at 813-744-8333 to confirm.

He said he plans to make his office an inviting place.

“My door is always open, and I welcome anyone who has a concern to come in and we’ll chat,” he said.