Greater Clark sees slew of new principals

A third of Greater Clark County Schools will start the new school year with a new leader at the helm, many of them longtime educators stepping into principal roles for the first time.

“Things go in cycles in education,” Superintendent Andrew Melin said. “You can go many years without any openings, and other times, there are transitions that occur, and this is one of those times.”

Overall, four resignations and one retirement among Greater Clark principals created vacancies that needed to be filled in time for the 2016-17 school year.

At New Washington Middle-High, former Assistant Principal Carla Hobson will assume the top leadership position following the retirement of principal Ben Ledbetter.

In Jeffersonville, Jeremy Stewart, the former dean and athletic director at Charlestown Middle, will become principal of Parkview Middle after Amy Hasselbring resigned from her administrative position in early June. Hasselbring will transfer to Charlestown Middle, where she will serve as academic improvement coordinator, according to school board documents.

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Jackie Diaz, who served as principal for a year at Maple, will become principal of Bridgepoint. The school was formerly led by Jennifer O'Brien, who resigned from her post last month. Longtime educator Denise Ellnor, formerly of Bridgepoint Elementary, will assume leadership of Maple Elementary.

Former Parkwood Elementary Principal Trudie Hedrick also resigned from her post last month after a year leading the school. She will be replaced by Brandon Winebrenner, the former assistant principal at Charlestown Middle.

Former Special Education Supervisor Donna Daily will lead alternative school Corden Porter.

Neighboring school systems are experiencing less movement. A summertime shake-up in the administration of Clarksville High left a principal vacancy following the resignation of former leader Dan Butler. Earlier this month, former Clarksville teacher Adrienne Goldman was named the school's new principal.

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At West Clark Community Schools, no principal movement took place.

In New Albany-Floyd County Schools, former Floyd Central High Assistant Principal Rob Willman is replacing Janie Whaley, who retired from her post as principal.

Willman, who taught English at Floyd Central before moving into administrative roles there, said he looks forward to working with the staff and students to further improve already high graduation rates and student engagement.

“I’m excited about it and nervous at the same time,” Willman said of his new position. “I’ve had some great people in front of me, and this is definitely not some job that you do all by yourself.”

And although New Albany High Principal Janet Page will remain in her position for the first part of the year, she plans to retire after the fall semester. During a meeting earlier this month, the New Albany-Floyd County School Board selected current Assistant Principal Michelle Ginkins to step into the principal position later this year.

Reporter Kirsten Clark can be reached at 502-582-4144. Follow the Courier-Journal’s education team on Facebook at Facebook.com/SchooledCJ.

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