MURFREESBORO, Tenn. (WGNS) - A major leadership change is coming to one of Rutherford County’s top schools. Dr. John Ash is stepping down as principal of Central Magnet School after nearly 17 years at the helm.

Starting June 1st, Ash will take over as the new director of schools for Smith County. The move is a homecoming for Ash, who was born and raised there. He and his wife are already building a retirement home in the county.

Ash says leaving the Murfreesboro school is painful. He spent a year hiring the original faculty and staff before Central Magnet officially opened in 2010. His goal was to create a school where being smart was celebrated.

Under his watch, Central Magnet earned a reputation for academic excellence. Last spring, U.S. News and World Report named it the third-best high school in the nation. The school also boasts numerous perfect ACT scores and National Merit scholars.

Ash began his local career teaching advanced chemistry and physics at LaVergne High School, where he also coached multiple sports. Former Superintendent Hulon Watson later named him the first principal of Christiana Middle School, where he served for six years before launching the Central Magnet program.

Current McFadden School of Excellence principal Dr. Clark Blair will take over for Ash in June. Ash says he wants Central to stay successful and will not get in the way of the new leadership team.