ST. LOUIS — Central Visual and Performing Arts (CVPA) High School Principal Dr. Kacy Shahid has resigned from her role.

A statement from St. Louis Public Schools (SLPS) says Shahid will be greatly missed by the entire district and most notably by her CVPA family.  

"We at Saint Louis Public Schools are sad to see Dr. Kacy Shahid leave as principal of her alma mater, Central Visual and Performing Arts High School, (CVPA),” the statement says.

“Despite our disappointment, we support her aspirations and wish her the very best in her future endeavors."

The current principal at Gateway STEM, Dr. Amy Phillips, will be CVPA’s new principal. Phillips previously led CVPA earlier in her career, according to George Sells, director of communications for SLPS.  

In the months following the October fatal shooting at CVPA, Shahid announced on her Facebook page in March that she took a “much-needed pause” to heal and reflect.

“The pain and uncertainty have been real,” her Facebook post states. “I understand post-traumatic growth and the changes and transformations that can occur after a traumatic situation. However, the weeks/months following the event were overwhelming and I was challenged as I attempted to prioritize my self-care needs.”

During that time, Shahid said she focused on her personal healing journey and created a “heartwork” journal for those “on a self-discovery mission to concentrate on healing and finding joy,” her Facebook post states.

Police shot and killed a former CVPA student last October when police say he entered the school and killed a 61-year-old teacher, a 15-year-old student and injured others. 

CVPA students and staff returned in person Jan. 17 where the facility received security upgrades. The Collegiate School of Medicine and Biosciences (CSMB), which shares a campus with CVPA, went back in person Nov. 28.