5 leadership changes are approved in the Muscogee County School District
Two new principals and three central office administrators are the five leadership changes the Muscogee County School District Board unanimously approved during its monthly meeting Monday night.
One of those changes means MCSD is now looking for a new athletics director.
MCSD superintendent David Lewis recommended the following appointments:
- Tonya Sanders to be principal of Johnson Elementary School
- Garrick Church to be principal of Blackmon Road Middle School
- Jeff Battles to be construction director
- Patrick Knopf to be student services chief
- Tamura Magwood to be central region chief.
Here’s background information about those leaders, based on the board’s agenda, and Lewis’ explanation for each move, based on his emailed answers to the Ledger-Enquirer’s questions:
Johnson Elementary School’s new principal
Sanders succeeds the retiring Philip Bush as Johnson’s principal. She has been an educator for 14 years, all in MCSD, including the past three years as assistant principal at Gentian Elementary School.
She started her career as a teacher at Hannan Magnet Academy (2001-05) and Rothschild Leadership Academy (2005-09), where she was the school’s 2009 Teacher of the Year.
After working as an academic coach at Rothschild (2009-13), Cusseta Road Elementary School (2013-14) and Dorothy Height Elementary School (2014-15), Sanders was a federal programs specialist (2015-22) and a Summer Learning Experience site director (2023).
Sanders has earned three degrees and a certification from Columbus State University: bachelor’s and master’s degrees in middle grades mathematics and science, a specialist’s degree in middle grades mathematics and certification in education leadership.
“Mrs. Sanders is a strong instructional leader whose experience at Gentian has prepared her well for the principalship,” Lewis said. “Adding to her preparation is her work as a Summer Learning Site Director at Johnson Elementary and her recent successful completion of the district’s Aspiring Principal Program.”
Blackmon Road Middle School’s new principal
Church succeeds the retiring Penny Gorum as Blackmon Road’s principal. He has been an educator for 27 years, all in MCSD, including the past three years as assistant principal at Spencer High School.
He started his career as a math teacher at Hardaway High School (1998-2018), where he also was head coach of the track & field and cross country teams (1999-2014) and chairman of the math department (2015-18).
Church was promoted to administration as behavior dean at Spencer (2018-22) before becoming assistant principal.
He earned three degrees at CSU: a bachelor’s degree in mathematics (1997), a master’s degree in secondary mathematics (2000) and a specialist’s degree in education leadership.
“Mr. Church has earned the respect of colleagues, students and parents alike,” Lewis said. “Likewise, his immediate supervisors have consistently rated him highly as did the interview team who recommended him for placement in the Principal Pool. During his interview, Mr. Church conveyed an approach to leadership that will further enhance the success of Blackmon Road Middle School.”
Jeff Battles leaving position as MCSD athletics director
Battles succeeds interim construction director Ward Odom. MCSD hasn’t had a permanent construction director since Bobby Hecht retired in 2018.
Battles has been an educator for 25 years, all in Columbus, including the past nine years as MCSD athletics director.
He started his career at St. Anne-Pacelli Catholic School (2000-08), where he was a teacher, coach and athletics director. He worked in those positions at Hardaway High School (2008-15) as well.
As MCSD athletics director, he has helped oversee the development, budget and implementation of construction projects upgrading the school district’s sports facilities, such as wrestling rooms, baseball and softball fields and the construction of Odis Spencer Stadium.
Battles earned two degrees from CSU: a bachelor’s degree in early childhood education (2000) and a master’s degree in social sciences education (2007). He is certified for secondary education in health, physical education and history.
“Jeff Battles is an accomplished district leader and has worked closely with the Construction and Plant Services Departments on many construction projects,” Lewis said. “He is a proven and meticulous project manager with a keen eye for detail and is knowledgeable of the Georgia K-12 construction requirements. He has developed working relationships with many key stakeholders in our community and impressed those in the construction industry who served on the interview committee.”
MCSD’s new student services chief
Knopf succeeds the retiring Angela Vickers-Ward as student services chief. He has been an educator for 24 years, including the past 12 years as MCSD research, accountability and assessment director. His previous positions have been:
- Speech language pathologist, Hillsborough County School District, Hortense Mintz Elementary School, Brandon, Florida (2001-02)
- Speech language pathologist, MCSD (2002-06)
- Assistant principal, River Road Elementary School (2006-08)
- Administrator, MCSD Program for Exceptional Students (2006-08)
- Principal, River Road Elementary School (2008-10)
- Director, MCSD Program for Exceptional Students (2010-13)
- Part-time instructor, Columbus State University (2012-18)
Knopf earned a bachelor’s degree in communication sciences and disorders from the University of Georgia (1999), a master’s degree in speech language pathology from the University of South Florida (2001) and a specialist’s degree in education leadership from CSU (2005).
“Mr. Knopf is well-versed in interpreting data and establishing effective processes,” Lewis said. “In addition, his previous experience with special education was an integral factor in his selection by the interview panel.”
MCSD’s news central region chief
Magwood succeeds the retiring Matt Bell. She has been an educator for 28 years, including the past 10 years as principal of East Columbus Magnet Academy.
She started her career as a math and science teacher (1997-2006) in MCSD, Russell County and Duval County.
Magwood was promoted to administration as assistant principal at Marshall Middle School (2006-10) and Hardaway High School (2010-11), then principal of Baker Middle School (2011-15) before transferring to East Columbus.
She earned a bachelor’s degree in mathematics from Savannah State University, a master’s degree in education leadership from Troy University and is working on a doctorate in administration of elementary and secondary schools from Auburn University.
“Mrs. Magwood is a data-driven leader who fosters a positive school culture, develops effective procedures and has cultivated several leaders under her leadership, which are major functions of a region chief,” Lewis said.
This story was originally published May 15, 2025 at 12:00 PM.
