The Jamaica College Board has praised Principal Ruel Reid for his decision to serve Jamaica as a member of the Cabinet, pointing out that he has the skills to succeed in his new role.

On Monday, hours before Reid was sworn in as a member of the executive, an extraordinary meeting of the school board approved a resolution for him to be seconded to serve as minister of education, youth and information in the new Government.

A news release from the school said that Board Chairman Michael Bernard noted that Reid’s leadership in the transformation of Jamaica College started in 2006 when he was recruited by the former Board Chairman R Danny Williams.

Bernard, the release said, was supported by other board members who highlighted Reid’s “transformational leadership style, which resulted in positive changes in all facets of the all-boys’ institution”.

The board noted that Reid became principal at a time when the then 217-year-old school was at its most challenging.

With the support of the board and other stakeholders, Reid “went on an aggressive mission to transform the institution into not only a model for leadership and change in the education system, but also as a recipe for national development”, the board said.

“Because of the outstanding work done, in 2011 Jamaica College was awarded as the ‘Most Innovative High School in Jamaica’, a reflection of the many achievements and special development programmes that have been implemented at the institution,” the board said, adding that the award was received through the Unearthing Innovations Project Education Competition.

The board wished Reid “all the very best in his new role” and explained that Vice-Principal Rohan Wong will act as principal until an acting principal is appointed.