ABERDEEN, Miss. (WCBI) -- When the conservator Bob Strebek of the Aberdeen school district needed someone to breathe new life into Aberdeen high, he turned to a proven friend.

Desmond Radcliff is the new principal at the school after working with Strebek to turn around three previous schools that had been taken over by the state.

The eight-year Army veteran turned to education 12 years ago and has quickly developed a reputation for change.

He comes to Aberdeen after a year at Hazlehurst High. Prior to that he was principal at Como Middle School and then North Panola High in Panola County. In one year, he dramatically improved the ratings of all three schools.

Meanwhile, the financial troubles that were part of the reason the state took over the Aberdeen school district this spring has taken more casualties.

Strebeck has cancelled the high school's soccer and cross country programs as part of an effort to streamline the school district's expenses. The decision came after talks with the school's athletic director. The remaining athletic programs will remain in place.

Strebeck was named conservator in April after the state found numerous deficiencies in the district's financial and academic programs.