Temporary leaders placed in Muscogee County schools

The opening of Muscogee County’s new school year brought news of retired employees temporarily filling one principal and four assistant principal positions.

These personnel moves weren’t discussed during the Muscogee County School Board’s monthly work session Monday evening, but they were listed on the agenda’s personnel report. Superintendent David Lewis and human resources chief Kathy Tessin explained the details to the Ledger-Enquirer:

▪  Jeanella Pendleton, retired principal of Reese Road Leadership Academy, is the temporary principal at Lonnie Jackson Academy. She is filling in for Amia Burnette, who was hired in May but hasn’t started in the position because of a family medical situation, Lewis said. Burnette will succeed Sadiyah Abdullah, who was promoted in April to director of the district’s pre-kindergarten Early Success Centers. Abdullah replaced Dana Thompson, who resigned to move out of state.

▪  Miranda Banks, retired as assistant principal at Carver High School, is temporary assistant principal at East Columbus Magnet Academy. She is providing extra support while John Spurlock deals with a medical issue, Tessin said.

▪  Ann Crowder, retired principal of Hannan Magnet Academy, is temporary assistant principal at St. Marys Road Magnet Academy. She is filling the position while the district hires the permanent selection, Tessin said.

▪  Nancy Johnson, retired principal of Wynnton Arts Academy, is temporary assistant principal at Hannan. She is filling in for Anton Anthony, who resigned because of a military relocation, Tessin said.

▪  Reginald Williamson, retired principal of Rothschild Leadership Academy, is temporary assistant principal at Kendrick High School. He is filling in for LaTonya Hamilton, who was promoted last month to become principal of St. Marys Road. Hamilton succeeded Felicia Johnson, who retired.

Williamson is expected to fill in for about only a week because the board is scheduled to vote next Monday on Lewis’ recommendation to hire Danya Albright as an assistant principal at Kendrick, and nobody objected during the work session.

Albright is a 15-year educator. Since 2014, she has been English language arts academic coach at Spencer High School. She began her teaching career in Muscogee County as an English teacher at Jordan Vocational High School in 2001.

This story was originally published August 8, 2016 at 8:35 PM with the headline "Temporary leaders placed in Muscogee County schools."