Newton-Conover High principal dies after battling ALS

Newton-Conover High School Principal Kevin Campbell died early Tuesday of ALS, commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s disease.

“It is with tremendous sadness that I have to inform you that Mr. Kevin Campbell – husband, father, friend, and high school principal – passed away this morning,” Newton-Conover City Schools Superintendent David Stegall announced Tuesday on the district’s website.

“Mr. Campbell has been a tremendous role model and mentor to so many students and adults alike over the years,” Stegall said.

Campbell was 46. He had battled ALS for eight months, according to media reports.

Stegall said Campbell worked for Newton-Conover since 1994, starting as an Exceptional Children’s teacher from 1994 to 1999, as well as an athletic trainer.

In 1999, he became an assistant principal at Newton-Conover High before joining Newton-Conover Middle School as an assistant principal in 2001, Stegall said.

Campbell was then named principal at Thornton Elementary, which he served from 2002 to 2007 before being named as Newton-Conover High School’s principal.

“He will be missed tremendously, and his impact will live on in those of us that he influenced and mentored,” Stegall said.

This story was originally published May 13, 2015 at 10:41 AM with the headline "Newton-Conover High principal dies after battling ALS."