Newton High School principal Craig Lockhart has been named the deputy superintendent of schools for the Newton County School System, effective July 1.

The Newton County Board of Education unanimously approved the personnel recommendation after discussing the matter in executive session Tuesday night. The board also approved NHS assistant principal Shannon Buff as the director of secondary curriculum, instruction and professional Development.

Also at the meeting, the  board unanimously approved its 2013-14 school system budget, as presented at its last BOE meeting in May.

Transportation for alternative school Ombudsman remained a topic of discussion. However, the BOE voted 4 to 1, with board member Jeff Meadors voting against, to amend the budget and continue discussions about cutting transportation at its July 16 meeting.

For more about the board meeting, read the Friday, June 28 issue of The News and check back on covnews.com.