Eluding to a pending in-house hire, Habersham County School Superintendent Matthew Cooper says he expects to present the board of education with a candidate to take over as principal at the Habersham Ninth Grade Academy by January.
“I fully expect that the name I bring you in January will be someone that’s right here in Habersham County working as an assistant principal right now,” Cooper told the board during their December 13 meeting. “I don’t think the name will surprise you.”
The move will likely be necessary since the current principal, Dr. Connie Franklin, has been named the sole finalist for the Stephens County school superintendent’s job.
Saying he would like to name a successor as “timely as possible,” Cooper offered assurances to the school’s parents, students and the staff that they “need not worry about anything. That school’s going to be in good hands.”
While the Stephens County position is not final – there’s a required 14-day public notice period – it is, at this point, a foregone conclusion that Franklin will get the job. If and when she does, she will begin work in Stephens County on March 1, which means she’ll be leaving HNGA at the end of February.
MORE: Connie Franklin sole finalist for Stephens County School Superintendent’s job
Naming her successor at the next board meeting will allow two full months for the transition.
“I think the board knows that I will bring you the name of someone who will do a fantastic job transitioning into that role of principal at the Ninth Grade Academy,” Cooper said. “I’m very proud of Connie – very happy for her,” he continued. “Connie’s a class act and a tremendous leader and I’m happy for Stephens County. it’s a gain for them for sure.”
Dr. Franklin was selected as Stephens County’s sole finalist from among 15 applicants nationwide, says the school system’s human resources director John Stith.
The Stephens County school board has been searching for a new superintendent since August after abruptly firing Dr. Daniel Oldham. At the time, the Board expressed its desire to “go in a different direction.”
Stith says Franklin met the board’s criteria in her demonstrated ability to unify the school community and work collaboratively with employees. He also cited her commitment to student achievement.
Dr. Franklin has 18 years of educational leadership experience and has been the principal at HNGA for nine years.
