Thompson 'glad to be back' at high school level

GAINESVILLE - New Chestatee High School principal Bill Thompson said he's happy to be back at the high school level.

"It's been a lot of fun getting back into the high school ranks and I'm very proud to be here. It's a wonderful community out here," Thompson said as he prepared for the first day of classes at Chestatee.

He served as principal at Jones Elementary for the past six years and was assistant principal at Johnson High before that. But he said he's still learning on the job. He wasn't named to his new post until last month when John Barge announced his resignation a month ago to take a state job.

"I'm still learning where things are but the staff has been fantastic getting me ready for the school year. It is a great staff here and they deserve the credit for getting us ready to open the doors," he said.

About 1,100 students reported to Chestatee for the first day of classes.

Thompson said the goal will be to improve on the good work Barge did in his two years at Chestatee.

"Our goal is to help the students improve and do anything we can to achieve that," Thompson said. "The staff and faculty here are outstanding and I think we can do that. Dr. Barge set a good standard for us to continue."

At Thompson's old school Jones Elementary, Hank Rainey was named just this week to take over there.

In all, six Hall County schools have new principals. Susan Miller was named this week to take over at Flowery Branch Elementary. Dr. Damon Gibbs, who was the Assistant Principal at Flowery Branch High School, replaced Jerry Smith at Spout Spring Elementary. Sabrina May, an assistant principal from Gwinnett County, replaced Susan Bagwell at Chestnut Mountain.

Former Hall County school employee Neil Yarrington, an elementary principal in Houston, Mississippi, replaced Jerry Lee at Wauka Mountain Elementary School.