2 new principals & districtwide AD among leadership changes for Muscogee schools
A new systemwide athletics director and two new principals are among the 10 leadership changes the Muscogee County School District Board finalized during Monday night’s meeting.
The board unanimously approved the following recommendations from MCSD superintendent David Lewis:
- La Christa Thornton to be MCSD executive director of programs for exceptional students
- Emily Sholtis-Starkebaum to be MCSD senior director of accountability and research
- Kendall Mills to be MCSD athletics director
- Lacoya Day to be principal of Carver High School
- Danya Albright to be principal of East Columbus Magnet Academy
- Zehra Malone to be assistant principal of Blackmon Road Middle School
- Latavius Watts to be an assistant principal at Carver High School
- Lynn Hall-Green to be assistant principal of Downtown Elementary Magnet Academy
- Hurston Pittman to be assistant principal of Gentian Elementary School
- Michael Smith to be assistant principal of Richards Middle School.
Here is background information about the new leaders, based on the agenda and attached resumes, plus Lewis’ emailed explanation to the Ledger-Enquirer about why he appointed them:
MCSD executive director of programs for exceptional students
Thornton succeeds Cincrystal Poythress, who resigned.
A 25-year educator, Thornton has spent most of her career in MCSD. For the past 11 years, she has been director of MCSD’s Woodall Program, which provides educational services to students with severe emotional and behavioral disorders.
She also has been a behavior clinician as an independent contractor for SpringHealth Behavioral Health & Integrated Care in Louisville, Kentucky, for the past six years.
Thornton started her career as a special-education teacher at Manchester Middle School (2000-02). She has worked in MCSD since 2002.
She taught special education at Marshall Middle School, Baker Middle School and in the Woodall Program (2002-09), then served as an academic coach for students with disabilities at Baker (2009-11) and an instructional specialist in MCSD’s Program for Exceptional Students (2011-14) before becoming Woodall’s director.
Thornton also was an adjunct math instructor at Columbus Technical College (2008-12).
She earned a bachelor’s degree in education from Columbus State University (1995), a master’s degree in education from CSU (2000) and educational leadership certification from Troy University-Phenix City (2001).
Lewis said Thornton was the only candidate interviewed among the eight applicants because she was the only one fully qualified for the position.
“Ms. Thornton has a long and successful tenure in the MCSD with a passion for ensuring that students with special needs receive the high-quality instruction they deserve to achieve their fullest potential,” Lewis said. “As an administrator, she is particularly adept at operationalizing federal and state policies and guidelines through the implementation of high-yield instructional practices and effective professional development. As a result, she is recognized and respected state and districtwide for her knowledge and passion on behalf of the students and families she serves.”
MCSD senior director of accountability and research
Sholtis-Starkebaum succeeds Patrick Knopf, who was promoted last month to MCSD chief student services officer.
She has 14 years of experience in education, strategy development, data analysis and change management, including the past five years as business intelligence director for Indianapolis Public Schools.
Sholtis-Starkebaum began her career as a Teach for America math teacher in Memphis (2011-13). She was associate project manager and investigator for Basis Policy Research in Denver (2015-17) and senior research analyst for Denver Public Schools (2017-19), then performance and continuous improvement director for Indianapolis Public Schools (2019-20).
She earned a bachelor’s degree in international affairs and modern languages from Georgia Tech (2011) and a master’s degree in public affairs from Indiana University (2015).
Lewis said he selected Sholtis-Starkebaum among 15 applicants and five interviewed candidates.
“After graduating from Columbus High School and furthering her education at Georgia Tech and Indiana University, Mrs. Sholtis-Starkebaum gained relevant experience in the areas of project manager, strategic planning, continuous improvement and business intelligence in Denver and Indianapolis Public Schools,” Lewis said. “She brings exceptional analytical insight, strategic thinking and a deep commitment to integrity and results to this position. Her references from Indianapolis Public Schools indicated she is an outstanding leader who fosters trust, encourages collaboration, and consistently elevates team performance. They also shared that she built strong, responsive relationships across all levels of the organization, which will be integral in this role.”
MCSD athletics director
Mills succeeds Jeff Battles, who was appointed last month as MCSD construction director.
A 28-year educator, mostly in MCSD, Mills has been athletics director at Hardaway High School the past nine years. He began his career as a teacher of all subjects in second, fourth and fifth grades for Phenix City Schools (1997-2004). He has been a physical education teacher at Hardaway since 2004 while coaching volleyball and boys and girls basketball.
Mills earned a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Auburn University (1996) and a master’s degree in sport and fitness management from Troy State University-Phenix City (2010).
Lewis said he recommended Mills among 21 applicants and three interviewed candidates.
“The committee chose Coach Kendall Mills based upon his years of experience in athletics at the elementary and secondary levels as a teacher and athletic coach,” Lewis said. “He is committed to running athletic programs with a high level of integrity and excellence both on and off the field, which led to his being named a three-time Region Athletic Director of the Year with multiple appearances at state-level competitions in various male and female sports. The committee noted that Coach Mills came to the table with a compelling vision for continuing and building upon the legacy of Mr. Jeff Battles.”
Carver High School principal
Day succeeds Christopher Lindsey, who is retiring from MCSD and was hired this month as principal of Central High School in Phenix City.
A 10-year educator, mostly in MCSD, Day has worked the past two years as assistant principal of Harris County Carver Middle School. He began his career as a math teacher at Manchester Middle School (2015-17) and Rothschild Leadership Academy (2017-21). After he was academic dean at RLA (2021-22), Day served as assistant principal at Harris County High School (2022-23).
Day earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Georgia Southern University (2001), a master’s degree in leadership from Amridge University (2014) and a specialist’s degree in educational leadership from the University of West Georgia (2024).
Lewis chose Day among a pool of 37 applicants and seven interviewed candidates.
“Mr. Day is returning to Muscogee County, where he and many of his family are graduates of G.W. Carver High School, so he is keenly aware of and respects the school’s history and traditions,” Lewis said. “During all three of his interviews, Mr. Day emphasized the importance of student, staff, family and community relationships, as well as his commitment to academic achievement through data-driven decision making, continued athletic excellence and developing the whole student. Additionally, his references were stellar, citing his professionalism, organizational ability, positive relationships and visibility and inistructional leadership. I believe Mr. Day will carry on the proud legacies of G.W. Carver, its alumni and Mr. Lindsey.”
East Columbus Magnet Academy principal
Albright succeeds Tamura Magwood, who was promoted last month to MCSD central region chief.
An educator for 24 years, all in MCSD, Albright has worked the past nine years as an assistant principal at Kendrick High School.
She started her career as an instructor of teaching as a profession at Jordan Vocational High School (2001-14), where she also chaired the English department (2007-11).
Albright was an academic coach at Spencer High School (2014-16), then was promoted to her assistant principal position at Kendrick in 2016.
Before her education career, Albright worked as a quality assurance operational leader for Bradley Direct (1994-2002).
Albright earned a bachelor’s degree in English language and literature from Columbus State University (2000), a master’s degree in educational leadership from Troy University-Phenix City (2009) and an educational specialist’s degree from American College of Education (2024).
Lewis said he selected Albright among a pool of 37 applicants and seven interviewed candidates.
“Mrs. Albright is a successful administrator who has many administrative experiences that will contribute to the continued enhancement of East Columbus Magnet Academy,” Lewis said. “Specifically, she has successfully completed the Governor’s School Leadership Academy, the MCSD Aspiring Principal Programs and has experience with the district’s magnet process. In addition, having served as the assistant principal at Kendrick High School, she is familiar with and to the East Columbus Magnet Academy families and community.”
Blackmon Road Middle School assistant principal
Malone has been an educator for 15 years, all in MCSD, including the past three years as academic coach and dean at East Columbus Magnet Academy.
She began her career as a special-education teacher at Spencer High School (2010-14) and Edgewood Student Services center (2014-17), then a local education agency facilitator for MCSD (2017-21) and academic dean at ECMA (2021-22).
Malone earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration (2007) and a master’s degree in special education (2012) from Columbus State University and a specialist’s degree in performance-based educational leadership from Valdosta State University (2017).
Carver High School assistant principal
Watts has been an educator for eight years, all in MCSD, including the past two years as discipline dean at Carver High School. He previously was an instructor in the Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps.
He earned a bachelor’s degree in kinesiology sports studies from Morehouse College (2012), a master’s degree in public administration from Columbus State University (2020) and a master’s degree in educational leadership from CSU (2024).
Downtown Elementary Magnet Academy assistant principal
Hall-Green has been an educator for 23 years, mostly in MCSD, including the past 13 years teaching computer science, business education and math at Richards Middle School.
Before she became an educator, Hall-Green worked as a small-business consultant for United Services in Columbus (1991-92), assistant vice president and senior auditor for Synovus in Columbus (1993-2000) and financial auditor for PricewaterhouseCoopers in Houston (2001).
Hall-Green began her education career as a math teacher at Southside Middle School in Albany (2002-09), then moved to MCSD as a math teacher at Fort Middle School (2009-12).
She earned a bachelor’s degrees in business administration and accounting from Columbus State University, a master’s degree in management from Troy University-Fort Benning, middle grades education certification in math and social studies from Albany State University and a master’s degree in educational leadership from CSU.
Gentian Elementary School assistant principal
Pittman has been an educator for 19 years, mostly in MCSD, including the past three years as academic dean at Gentian.
He began his career as a health and physical education teacher for grades K-5 in Auburn City Schools (2006-08), then in MCSD at Brewer, Wesley Heights, Forrest Road and Gentian elementary schools (2008-22).
Pittman earned a bachelor’s degree (2006) and a master’s degree (2013) in health and physical education from Columbus State University, plus an add-on master’s in leadership from CSU (2023).
Richards Middle School assistant principal
Smith has been an educator for seven years, all in MCSD, including the past two years as discipline dean at Richards Middle School.
He started his career as a heath and physical education teacher at Hardaway High School (2018-23), where he was head coach for wrestling (2021-23) and girls soccer (2019-21) and assistant coach for wrestling (2018-21) and boys soccer (2021-23).
Smith earned a bachelor’s degree in exercise science (2014) and a master’s degree in health and physical education (2017) from Columbus State University, an specialist’s degree in physical education from Jacksonville State University (2019) and certification in education leadership from CSU (2023).
This story was originally published June 23, 2025 at 8:29 PM.
