Muscogee County School District confirms principal changes, openings

Three schools in the Muscogee County School District have changed principals since the school year started, and MCSD is seeking to hire three principals.

MCSD communications director Valerie Fuller confirmed the changes in an email Wednesday to the Ledger-Enquirer.

For personal reasons, Fuller said, Joanna Culbreth requested and was granted a transfer from principal of Eagle Ridge Academy to a teacher/coach position in the Title IIA program, which helps districts improve the quality of their educators. Amy Parker, who had been assistant principal at Eagle Ridge, was transferred from principal of Reese Road Leadership Academy to principal of Eagle Ridge, Fuller said.

“We have advertised for the Reese Road vacancy,” Fuller said, “and hope to have a candidate before the board in December.”

In the interim, Jeanella Pendleton, who retired as Reese Road principal, is leading the school for the rest of the semester, Fuller said.

Pendleton began the school year as the temporary principal of Lonnie Jackson Academy. She was filling in for Amia Burnette, who was hired in May but delayed her arrival to take care of a family medical situation, superintendent David Lewis said in August.

Burnette, who was principal of Mary M. Bethune Elementary School in Atlanta, succeeded Sadiyah Abdullah, who in April was promoted to director of the district’s prekindergarten Early Success Centers. Abdullah replaced Dana Thompson, who resigned to move out of state.

MCSD also is seeking to hire a new principal at Davis Elementary School, where Carla Henry is scheduled to retire Jan. 1, Fuller said.

The other open principal job in MCSD is at the yet-to-be-named arts academy for grades 6-12. The academy is being constructed behind the Columbus Public Library off Macon Road and scheduled to open in August.

“We plan to fill this position by January,” Fuller said, “so the principal can lead the hiring of the unique staff in preparation for the school opening.”

This story was originally published October 26, 2016 at 5:41 PM with the headline "Muscogee County School District confirms principal changes, openings."