2 new principals, transportation director approved by Muscogee school board. What to know
The Muscogee County School District board unanimously approved during its monthly meeting Monday night the appointment of two new principals and a new transportation director.
Board members voted their support for these recommendations from superintendent David Lewis:
- Meredith Adams, promoted from assistant principal of Dorothy Height Elementary School to principal of the school.
- Antron Murray, promoted from assistant principal of Baker Middle School to principal of Double Churches Elementary School.
- Godfrey Jackson, hired as transportation director. He has been area transportation manager for Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools in North Carolina since September 2014.
The new positions for Adams and Murray are effective July 1. Jackson’s first day in MCSD is scheduled for April 11.
Adams will replace Lamont Sheffield when he becomes principal of Baker Middle School. The Ledger-Enquirer reported last week these personnel moves will be effective at the start of next school year:
- Sheffield will replace Ramona Horn when she becomes principal of Forrest Road Elementary School.
- Horn will replace Kevin Aviles when he becomes principal of Eddy Middle School.
- Aviles will replace Shermaine Derrick when she becomes principal of Rigdon Road Elementary School, replacing Charleen Robinson, who died last month.
- Murray will replace Paula Shaw-Powell, who plans to retire at the end of this school year.
Jackson will replace Herbert Hill, who was MCSD transportation director from November 2016 to October 2021 and now is interim senior transportation director for the Richmond County School District in Augusta.
Here’s more background about Adams, Murray and Jackson, according to their resumes attached to the board’s agenda:
Adams has been an educator for 18 years, including Dorothy Height’s assistant principal since August 2018. She previously was dean (2016-18) and academic coach (2015-16) at Fox Elementary School, director of St. Luke United Methodist Church Preschool (2012-15), supervisor of student teachers at Columbus State University (2011-12), first- and second-grade teacher at Reese Road Elementary School (2005-08), kindergarten, first- and fifth-grade teacher at Jackson Elementary School in Gwinnett County and first-grade teacher at Albemarle Road Elementary School in Charlotte, North Carolina.
She earned a specialist’s degree in teacher leadership from LaGrange College in 2016, a master’s degree in educational leadership and supervision from West Georgia University in 2004 and a bachelor’s degree in early childhood education and middle school mathematics from Western Carolina University.
“Mrs. Adams has a strong background in curriculum, instruction and personalized learning, and has successfully completed both the Governor’s School Leadership and the MCSD Aspiring Principal Cohort programs,” Lewis told the Ledger-Enquirer in an email. “Moreover, as the school’s current assistant principal, she will provide continuity that I feel is particularly important at this juncture.”
Murray has been an educator for 11 years, including Baker assistant principal since July 2020. He previously was assistant principal of Arnold Magnet Academy (2019-20) and Hannan Magnet Academy (2016-19), dean of Kendrick High School (2016), special-education teacher at Kendrick (2015-16), physical education teacher at East Columbus Magnet Academy (2011-15) and juvenile correctional officer at Aaron Cohn Regional Youth Detention Center (1999-2009).
He is working on a doctoral degree in education curriculum and instruction at Columbus State University, earned a specialist’s degree in education from CSU in 2014, a master’s degree in middle grades math and English from CSU in 2012 and a bachelor’s degree in health and physical education from CSU in 2008.
“Mr. Murray is a product of the Muscogee County School District” Lewis told the L-E in an email. “. . . In addition, Mr. Murray is completing the MCSD Aspiring Principal Cohort program. Having recently served as an assistant principal at both the elementary and middle levels provides him a unique perspective in preparing elementary students for success in middle school.”
Lewis said he recommended Adams and Murray out of eight applicants who were chosen for interviews from a pool of qualified principal candidates.
Jackson has been working in transportation for 29 years, including as area transportation manager for Charlotte Mecklenberg Schools since September 2014. He previously was warehouse manager at Pepsi Beverage Company (2008-14) and area sales manager and route delivery supervisor at Coca-Cola Company Consolidated (1993-2006).
He earned a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Johnson C. Smith University in 1988.
“Mr. Jackson effectively provided for the transportation needs of approximately 27,000 students daily in his area of the district with 99% on-time arrival,” Lewis told the L-E in an email. “Furthermore, both the interview panel and references deemed him to be strong in the areas of problem solving, strategic thinking, team building, recruitment and retention.”
Lewis said he recommended Jackson among 20 applicants, including seven who were interviewed and three finalists.
Asked why Hill left his position as MCSD transportation director to work in a similar position in Richmond County, Lewis said, “It is my understanding that he was offered a position with higher compensation.”
Hill’s departure came before the L-E obtained MCSD’s salary database for this school year. His last available MCSD salary was $95,136 in 2020-21.
This story was originally published March 22, 2022 at 9:27 AM.
