Newton County School System is pleased to announce that Lee Peck has been selected as the district's Executive Director for School Improvement. Peck was approved by unanimous vote at the Newton County Board of Education's April 17 monthly meeting.

"I am excited to be a part of continuing the great work that has already been started under Dr. Mathews and Mrs. Fuhrey' s leadership to prepare all of our students for the new college and career readiness standards," said Peck. "I will do all I can to help all of our students to meet these new rigorous requirements that have been adopted by the GDOE (Georgia Department of Education)."

Peck added, "Heard-Mixon is my home. I am sad to leave all of the faculty, parents and students that I have built strong relationships with over my nine years here. I know that Mrs. Wilkins and the staff will continue all of the best practices that take place on a daily basis and will continue to meet the needs of all of our parents and students. It has been both an honor and a privilege to have been principal here for seven years
and I wish them all the best for their continued success."

Peck is currently the principal of Heard-Mixon Elementary, a position he has held since 2005. Under his leadership, the school has been named a Title One Distinguished School each year since 2005. In addition, the school was a Georgia Bronze Award Winner in Student Achievement in 2011 and this year was named a Georgia School of Excellence in Student Achievement.

Prior to taking the helm at Heard-Mixon, Mr. Peck served as the school's assistant principal from 2002 until his promotion to principal in 2005. Mr. Peck joined Newton County School System in 1999 and taught all subject areas at Ficquett Elementary School. He began his career as an elementary school teacher in Columbia County Schools in 1994.

Mr. Peck earned both his bachelor of arts in education and his master of science in education from Augusta State University in 1993 and 1998 respectively. He earned his education specialist degree from
Lincoln Memorial University in 2000.

"I have no doubt that Mr. Peck will bring the experience, research-base, and expertise needed to assist NCSS in meeting new and rigorous accountability standards in the state of Georgia be they at the elementary or secondary level," said Gary Mathews, Superintendent for Newton County Schools.

According to Mathews, Peck will begin his work as Executive Director for School Improvement on April 30, 2012. Current Heard-Mixon Elementary School assistant principal, Marquita Wilkins, will serve as acting principal through the end of the 2011-2012 school year.