It was announced last week that Fountain Hills High School Principal Tom Brennan will soon bring his 13-year run with Fountain Hills Unified School District to a close. For a district as young as the local one, that means Mr. Brennan has had a big hand in helping shape local schools into the excelling institutions of learning that they are today.

Brennan started off his run within FHUSD as assistant principal of the high school before moving on to serve as principal of the middle school. From there, he most recently moved back to the high school, where he has served as principal ever since.

Not many principals sing the national anthem at local sporting events or can occasionally be seen lugging a guitar around campus, so Brennan has certainly left a unique footprint here in town.

When he was at the middle school, Brennan worked with his staff to help guide students through some of the biggest transitional years of their lives, helping youngsters finally start to figure out who they are and who they wanted to become.

At the high school, he’s had the opportunity to work with teachers and staff in order to put one final coat of polish on those same students, equipping them with the knowledge and skills necessary to either get rolling in the workplace or continue their education.

We have to agree with Superintendent Dr. Patrick Sweeney, who said seeing Brennan leave is a bitter-sweet experience. It sounds like he’s landed his dream job, so we can only wish him the best in the years to come. At the same time, he’s leaving behind some big shoes to fill here in FHUSD. We’re sure that Sweeney and Co. will find a suitable successor, but that doesn’t mean we won’t miss Mr. Brennan all the same.