The Troup County School Board officially hired three administrators at Thursday night’s meeting. 

Dr. Penny Johnson was officially promoted to the position of assistant superintendent of curriculum, instruction and professional learning; Whitney Glisson was hired as the director of secondary education; and Elizabeth Watts was hired as the new principal at Troup High School.

Johnson takes the place of Karen Cagle, who is retiring after decades in education. 

Johnson served as the principal of LaGrange High School for three years from 2012-2014 before being promoted to the director of secondary education.

“Dr. Johnson and I arrived together six years ago as rival principals in a good way,” said Chip Medders, the human resources director for the school system. “For the last year, she has served as my direct supervisor, and in those years, I have witnessed the many strengths she has that are required for the assistant superintendent in the Troup County School System.”

Johnson said she was thankful for the opportunity to serve in her new role. 

“I’m really looking forward to the opportunity to maximize all of our talents and gifts and work as a team to do the best that we can for our students,” Johnson said. 

Glisson was not able to attend Thursday’s meeting, but she has served as the assistant principal at Long Cane Middle School for the last two years and has 15 total years of experience at the school, district and state levels.  She is filling Johnson’s vacated position. 

Watts has served as the Troup County High School assistant principal since July 2015. She’s a Troup High School alumnus and has been employed at the school for 15 years.

Medders, who was promoted in June after several years of serving as the Troup County High School principal, introduced Watts to the board. 

“When he allowed me to transfer from the classroom and serve under him as an assistant principal, in doing so, he was allowing me the opportunity to learn from the best,” Watts said of Medders. “He has established a solid foundation of success and character and improved culture at Troup High School. Myself and the rest of the administrative staff are looking forward to building on what he’s already put in place for us and taking THS to the next level.”

Medders said he hopes that many other Troup County School System students will return to work for the system, like Watts has.

“Seeing a former graduate of our school system return to teach for many years, serve as an assistant principal and lastly be named principal of a school she graduated from is a success story that I hope we can replicate many more times in the future,” Medders said. “I have no doubt that Mrs. Watts will lead Troup High School to new heights and do everything in her power to ensure her students leave as graduates prepared for the next chapter of their life.”