Russell County High School has a new principal

Russell County High School has a new principal, succeeded by another principal in the district.

Mount Olive Primary School principal Shelia Baker is replacing Ken Britford, who was promoted to director of attendance and at-risk programs, Superintendent Brenda Coley told the Ledger-Enquirer on Tuesday.

The district is advertising the job opening to replace Baker at Mount Olive. The deadline to apply is June 8, Coley said.

Britford fills the vacancy created when Ricky Martin retired in December. The district’s at-risk programs include the Alternative Learning Center, Safe and Drug Free Schools and Communities, Early Warning Truancy, Credit Recovery and High Hopes Tutoring.

Coley praised Britford for leading the high school’s improved graduation rate during his three years as principal, from 58 percent to 78 percent, making it “on track” to be removed from the Alabama State Department of Education’s list of Priority Schools, she said.

Britford, a 16-year educator, has 11 years of experience in administration, including the elementary and secondary levels.

“Mr. Britford has a passion for at-risk students as he is very sympathetic to their needs,” Coley wrote in an email to the L-E. “I feel that his experiences will enable him to be very successful in this new position.”

Coley said she chose Baker to be the high school’s new principal because “she possesses strong leadership skills … and proven success as an administrator. Ms. Baker is always willing to grow and take on new learning opportunities.”

Baker is a 24-year educator. She has been principal of Mount Olive for four years. Her previous positions are evaluation system specialist in the Office of School Improvement at the Georgia Department of Education, Title I instructional specialist in the Muscogee County School District, assistant principal at Rothschild Middle School and classroom teacher for Department of Defense Education Activity Schools.

Baker earned a specialist’s degree in educational leadership from Troy University in 2004, a master’s degree in English education from the University of West Alabama in 1997 and a bachelor’s degree in English and criminal justice from Alabama A&M University in 1992.

“I am deeply honored and grateful to Dr. Coley and the RCSD Board members for affording me this opportunity,” Baker wrote in an email to the L-E. “… This is a wonderful opportunity to continue implementing best practices, rigorously educating our students and leading our RCHS Warrior community to excellence.”

Britford wasn’t reached for comment.

This story was originally published May 31, 2016 at 7:43 PM with the headline "Russell County High School has a new principal."