Trending Now - Retired Principal Returns to School as Handyman, Staying Involved

WHO:

CBS News - David White, 58 years old, retired principal of Burgess-Peterson Academy in Atlanta, Georgia.

CBS News - Holly Brookins, the new principal at Burgess-Peterson Academy.

WHAT:

CBS News - David White retired after 33 years in education, with the last 15 years as principal.

CBS News - White returned to the school as a handyman, holding the title of site manager.

CBS News - White performs various tasks including power washing bathrooms, inspecting fire extinguishers, and cleaning gutters.

WHERE:

CBS News - Burgess-Peterson Academy, an elementary school in Atlanta, Georgia.

WHEN:

CBS News - David White retired in September 2025.

WHY:

CBS News - White left his principal position to be free of daily demands but found retirement lonely.

CBS News - White missed his school community and decided to apply for a different position when it opened up.

HOW:

CBS News - White applied for the handyman position by sending in his resume immediately after learning about the opening.

(UPDATED May 16, 2026 04:12 UTC)

David White, the retired principal of Burgess-Peterson Academy in Atlanta, has returned to the school as a handyman after stepping down from his role in September 2025, where he served for 33 years, including the last 15 as principal. Feeling lonely in retirement and missing his school community, White quickly applied for the site manager position when it became available, taking on tasks like power washing bathrooms and inspecting fire extinguishers. He has now passed the reins to Holly Brookins, the new principal at Burgess-Peterson Academy.