As a former coal miner, Bob Howard isn't a stranger to hard work. He also isn't intimidated by the challenge ahead of him as the first principal at Harlan County High School.

Howard, who has led an impressive turnaround on test scores in four years as the Evarts High School principal, promises to waste no time getting started in his new job. Even though he was officially named to the position Friday, Howard plans to begin touring schools around the county Monday and will also conduct "town hall" meetings in an effort to gather feedback and ease concerns of parents, staff and students.

Howard knows all eyes will be on him as the leader of a school that remains a point of controversy for many Harlan Countians. Howard understands because he wasn't certain the school was the best option for Harlan County when talk first surfaced about merging Evarts, Cumberland and Cawood high schools, but he is now excited about the opportunities the $50 million facility can provide and the unity it could eventually bring to Harlan County.

It's a good sign for the school's future that the first important decision was selecting Howard as its leader.