GAINESVILLE - The search is over; Gainesville High School has announced the hiring of a new principal.
The school announced the hiring of Tom Smith, the principal at Union Grove High School in McDonough, a job he has held since 2007.
Under his watch UGHS was named One of America's Best High Schools for eight years by Newsweek and the Washington Post, and an AP Merit School for four years.
Union Grove's test scores also rose consistently under his watch, with the ACT growing from an average score of 21.0 in 2008 to 21.9 in 2014, and the SAT growing from 1,461 in 2008 to 1,556 in 2013.
Advanced Placement scores took a dramatic upturn during his tenure, with the pass rate rising from 40% in 2007 to 61% in 2013; the graduation rate increased over the years, too: from 81.9% in 2007 to 94% in 2014.
Smith has an undergraduate degree in Business Education from Fairmont State College, and a Masters of Science in Professional Physical Education from West Virginia University.
He began his education career in 1985.
http://accesswdun.com/article/2015/4/301101/gainesville-high-school-taps-new-principal