Rick Smith, Superintendent of Hamilton County Schools.Hamilton County Schools Superintendent Rick Smith announced on Monday reassignments and appointments for several public school principals.
Smith did not announce reassignments for Brainerd High Principal Charles Joynes, Dalewood Middle School Principal Rodney Johnson and Woodmore Elementary School Principal Visa Harper. All three of those principals are being moved to comply with a $500,000 state grant to turnaround schools.
The School Innovation Zone grant, aimed at improving schools that perform in the bottom 5 percent, requires new leadership for schools in that group whose principals have been in place for two years or longer. Last month, the superintendent said the three principals would not be dismissed, but was unclear about what job they may be moved into.
Smith did not return calls seeking comment on Monday.
Promoting or adding new leadership at 13 schools means about 16 percent of Hamilton County’s schools will see new leadership next year. Such a shift is fairly normal for the school system.