Cornelia Elementary School will have a new principal next year. Dr. Renee Pryor who has headed the school for the past seven years is leaving to take a job at the Habersham County School’s Central Office. Pryor will succeed former Level Grove principal Tony Reabold as the system’s new Director of Federal Programs.
Reabold, who has held the position since last year, is leaving to join his wife Martha Reabold in their new home in Greenville, SC.
Pryor says her promotion is bittersweet. “Of course I’m going to miss all the wonderful students and the staff members and the parents but I’m excited, too, about the new challenges that lie ahead of me.”
In her new job Pryor will be responsible for coordinating the school system’s federal programs, insuring that the system has the funds that it needs and monitoring those funds to insure they’re used properly. Those federal programs include: Title I part A Academic Achievement of the Disadvantaged, Title I School Improvement, Title I Part D, Neglected and Delinquent, Title I Part C, Migrant, Title III A, LEP and immigrant students/ESOL, Title X Part C, Homeless, Title VI Part B, Rural Education, IDEA Individual Disability Education Act (Special Education), School System Consolidated Grant Application.
Pryor says she’s familiar with several of the programs already because Cornelia Elementary is a Title I school and receives Title III funding. She says she is passionate about helping kids from poverty and working with English language learners. “I was ready for a new challenge and I wanted to help more people and I feel like this way I can. I can still help the same clientele that I’ve been helping, just in a different way.”
Habersham County School Board Chairman Robert Barron says Pryor was hired for the position because of her character and ability. “This is something she’s perfectly qualified for. I think she’s going to do a great job.”
Barron taught Pryor in high school and says he’s proud of her accomplishments. “It’s great to see everybody move up and be able to have this opportunity to continue the strong and outstanding work helping our kids. Renee does a great job. It’s all a team effort and to see these “kids” grow up and get into the field and continue this, it just warms me.”
Pryor officially assumes her new duties on July 1, 2015, but will begin transitioning into the job sooner. Reabold is leaving the post effective May 1.
Pryor will stay on as Cornelia Elementary School principal through the end of this school year. Until then, she’ll be working both jobs. Her successor at Cornelia Elementary School has not yet been named.
