St. James R-1 School District Names New Principal of St. James High School
The St. James R-1 School District Board of Education has approved the hiring of Mr. Bryan Carty as the next Principal of St. James High School, beginning July 1, 2026. Mr. Carty returns to St. James after previously serving the district as an assistant principal.
Mr. Carty will be entering his 15th year in education and his 4th year as a high school administrator. He spent 11 years teaching science at the middle and high school levels, including Biology. Mr. Carty completed his undergraduate studies at Southeast Missouri State University and holds a Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership and a Specialist Degree in Superintendency from Northwest Missouri State University.
Throughout his career, Mr. Carty has also coached at both the middle school and high school levels, including varsity boys basketball, football, and tennis. In addition to his work in education, he has experience working outside the classroom in agriculture, heavy equipment operation, and the railroad industry. He believes these experiences help him connect learning to real-world applications and better support students with a wide range of interests and goals.
“Mr. Carty understands St. James, our students, and our community,” said Superintendent Tim Webster. “His previous experience in our district, combined with his leadership background and strong commitment to relationships, makes him an excellent fit for this role. We are confident he will continue to move St. James High School forward while keeping students at the center of every decision.”
Mr. Carty shared that supporting students and building relationships will be central to his leadership as principal.
“First and foremost, I want to ensure we are pushing students to achieve their dreams and supporting them in the pursuit of those dreams,” said Mr. Carty. “Relationships are at the core of education. By being visible, available, and invested in students, staff, and families, we can create a school environment where everyone feels valued and supported.”
Mr. Carty emphasized the importance of engaging with the entire school community. He plans to be present at school and community events and to make a personal effort to get to know students and staff beyond the classroom.
A 2004 graduate of Salem High School, Mr. Carty is a fifth-generation farmer on his family’s farm located just outside of St. James. He continues to operate the farm with his wife and three children. When not at school, he can often be found on the farm or attending sporting events and livestock shows with his family.
Mr. Carty will officially begin his role as Principal of St. James High School on July 1, 2026.