Flint Hill Assistant Principal Michael Forehand has been named the new principal of Middle Ridge Elementary, following the promotion of Alan Satterfield who will become Newton County School System's Director of Special Education.

Forehand has been an administrator in the NCSS since 2008. Previously he taught at Jackson Elementary School in neighboring Butts County. He has also worked as an instructor for both the University of Phoenix and Mercer University. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education, Master of Science in Elementary Education, and Master of Science in Leadership, all from Jacksonville State University. He is currently pursuing his Doctorate in Educational Leadership at Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia. He holds a Clear Renewable Certificate in Leadership in K-12, Early Childhood Education, Gifted In-Field, and Middle Grades (4-8) in the state of Georgia, according to the Flint Hill website.

Along with his administrative duties, Forehand is also the coordinator of Flint Hill's after school academic program and producer of the Wolf Pack Players.

According to Flint Hill's website, Forehand enjoys traveling and does so as a leader with the People to People Student Ambassador program, playing soccer, movie-going and directing children's theater.

Forehand will take over at Middle Ridge on the first day of second semester, Jan. 4, 2013. In an email, NCSS Superintendent Gary Mathews congratulated Forehand, saying "he'll do great!"