During the past few weeks, Newton County School System Superintendent Samantha Fuhrey announced the following administrative changes that will be seen in effect at the start of next school year:
Interim to permanent
• John Ellenberg was named principal of Newton High School after serving as interim principal
• Ryan Norman was named assistant principal of Newton High School after serving as interim assistant principal
Swaps
• Renee Evans, current assistant principal at Rocky Plains Elementary School, will serve as assistant principal at Porterdale Elementary School
• Holly Johnston, current assistant principal at Porterdale Elementary School, will service as assistant principal at Rocky Plains Elementary School
• Lynne DiNardo, current principal at Mansfield Elementary School, will become principal at Flint Hill Elementary School
• Lori Thomas, current principal at Flint Hill Elementary School, will become principal at Mansfield Elementary School
Transfers
• Gabriel Burnett, current assistant principal at Alcovy High School, will transfer to assistant principal at Cousins Middle School
• Troy Davis, at his request, will transfer from assistant principal at Indian Creek Middle School to science teacher at Newton High School
• Romonda Middlebrooks, current assistant principal at Cousins Middle School, will transfer to assistant principal at Veterans Memorial Middle School
• Shundreia Neely, current assistant principal at Alcovy High School, will become assistant principal at Indian Creek Middle School
• Mary Roach, assistant principal at Veterans Memorial Middle School, will also become assistant principal at Indian Creek Middle School
According to Fuhrey, these school leaders have been moved around to provide new challenges that capitalize on their unique leadership skills, with the ultimate goal of improving students’ achievement.
“The moves we have made aren’t due to concerns in current leadership,” Fuhrey emphasized. “Our goal is to enhance our schools by providing opportunities for our school leaders to excel through a variety of experiences and challenges. Every decision we make is based on what’s in the best interest of our students.”
Lynn DiNardo has served as both assistant principal and principal of Mansfield Elementary during the past four years.
“I have definitely enjoyed the time I have spent at Mansfield and will be sad to leave the students, staff and families here, but I know that Dr. Thomas will continue to implement all of the great things we do to ensure the success of our students,” DiNardo said. “With that said, I am truly looking forward to working with the staff at Flint Hill and to meeting the students and families here.”
Lori Thomas, who served as principal of Palmer-Stone Elementary School for three years before moving with the students to the new Flint Hill Elementary School three years ago, also expressed similar sentiments on her swap from Flint Hill to Mansfield. She said the move will be “very bittersweet for me.”
“Over the past 10 years, I have built many wonderful, loving relationships with my staff, students and their families,” Thomas said.
