New principals named in Habersham County

CLARKESVILLE - Two Habersham County educators will begin the upcoming school year in new leadership positions.

Veteran administrator Tim Goss, principal of Hazel Grove Elementary School, was named principal of Clarkesville Elementary School. That action came during a called Habersham County Board of Education meeting Wednesday afternoon.

"We are pleased that Mr. Goss has decided to become the new principal at Clarkesville Elementary School," said Superintendent Matthew Cooper. "Tim is an exceptional leader who possesses strong character and a great personality. His positive attitude and enthusiam will serve him well."

Goss has served as principal of Hazel Grove for five and one-half years, and previously served as assistant principal of Clarkesville Elementary for three years.

"I appreciate the opportunity at Clarkesville," Goss said. "I'm very excited."

In addition, the board named Stan Rentz, building administrator for the Habersham Ninth Grade Academy, as principal of that school.

"The principal of Habersham Central High School will no longer be responsible for the ninth grade academy," Cooper said. "Moving forward, the administrators of the ninth grade academy and Habersham Central will work together to ensure that the students at the ninth grade academy remain a vital part of the Habersham Central family. Ninth grade academy students will continue to attend pep rallies at Habersham Central, participate in homecoming events, and will have the opportunity to visit the Habersham Central campus for various events and opportunities throughout the school year."

Cooper said the candidates for Habersham Central principal will be asked how they will collaborate with Rentz to ensure the students of the two schools have unity and form one family.

Doug Westmoreland will continue to serve as assistant principal of the ninth grade academy, as well as director of the Success Academy housed on the campus.

"Dr. Rentz is an experienced leader who will provide sound leadership for the students and staff in the coming year," Cooper said. "Dr. Rentz and Mr. Westmoreland will make a great administrative team at ninth grade academy next year. Both of these men have a heart for students and will ensure that ninth grade academy continues to operate as an exceptional place for our ninth-grade students to learn and succeed."

Board Chairman Gilbert Barrett said it says a lot for the system when its employees grow and move to new positions.

Also during Wednesday's called meeting, the board accepted the resignation of Athletic Director Amy Hood, effective June 30, saying she is going to focus her time as a full-time assistant principal at Habersham Central High School.

"Due to severe budget constraints, we will now have to absorb the assistant athletic director position currently held by Betty Moore," Cooper said. "We will seek a qualified person to serve as system-wide athletic director. To save money, one person would assume this responsibility instead of two. We will look at all options available for filling the athletic director position."

Cooper praised both Hood and Moore.

"Coach Hood has worked very hard for our student athletes and for our overall athletic program," Cooper said. "She will continue to be an asset to Habersham Central High School as an administrator. We also want to thank Assistant Athletic Director Betty Moore for her service to our athletic department, and to the English department at Habersham Central."

Cooper said the system plans to have a system-wide athletic director in place sometime in July.