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The Troup County School System has named three new elementary school principals to lead Callaway Elementary School, Hollis Hand Elementary School and Rosemont Elementary School.

Dr. Milton Reese will be the new principal of Callaway Elementary School, Dr. Matthew Body will be at Hollis Hand Elementary School and Martie Hornsby will be at Rosemont Elementary School, according to a press release from TCSS.

There were a total of eight candidates interviewed for the positions by three secondary committees and one primary committee, said Superintendent Brian Shumate. These committees were composed of students, parents, teachers, school staff, and district administrators.

The decision to grant these three leadership of the schools came after a lengthy interview process last week that included up to five interviews for those earning the top spots, Shumate said.

“Each one of them brings something different to the table,” Shumate said Wednesday. “They’re all very qualified people with good track records in education.”

Wednesday was the TCSS’s last school day. Shumate said that the year was positive overall.

“I’m very proud that we managed to stay in school since Aug. 17,” Shumate said. “We still have got a lot ahead of us with summer school and getting ready for next year … but we’re very appreciative of all the things it took this year to get us done.”

TCSS plans to offer virtual learning options for its students next school year, but ultimately plans to open for full in-classroom learning, Shumate said.

Dr. Milton Reese

Dr. Milton Reese previously served as an assistant principal at Callaway Elementary School in 2016 and 2017. He has six years of elementary classroom experience with Terrell County Schools. He has also been an instructional coach in Dougherty County Schools and an assistant principal in Sumter County.

“I feel like I’m coming home,” Reese said. “I received my first assistant principal position at CES and now I’m coming back as the principal of the same school. I’m thankful for the opportunity and the board’s vote of confidence.”

Reese also serves as an adjunct instructor with Columbus State University, teaching online masters and specialist courses to graduate students in the Early Childhood Education Program.

Dr. Matthew Body

After serving as a high school English teacher in Gwinnett County for 12 years, Dr. Matthew Body is poised to oversee Hollis Hand Elementary School as the school’s new principal. In addition to his time in the classroom, he has served as an instructional specialist and assistant principal with DeKalb and Newton counties.

This past year Body has served as assistant principal at Clearview Elementary and provided leadership in curriculum, instruction, and day-to-day building operations.

“After my wife was offered a job at WellStar, I came to LaGrange,” he said in the press release. “Troup County has a close-knit community. There are benefits to that close-knit feel because when parents come into the schools, we know who they are. It helps us to better serve the students and families.”

“Hollis Hand is an amazing school with a wonderful community and great tradition. I look forward to being a servant leader, ingratiating myself into the community and getting to know the children and parents soon.”

Martie Hornsby

Hornsby has 12 years of educational experience working in TCSS. She has served as a high school social studies teacher, academic coach, and assistant principal. For the past two years, Hornsby has served as the instructional specialist of Rosemont Elementary.

“The Rosemont community is a special family,” Hornsby said. “They wrap their arms around the school staff and link arms in whatever is best for our kids. Rosemont staff is truly like a family. Our students are precious and special.”

“I’m so excited to stay at Rosemont, be a part of the team, and see what happens next. The future is bright and there are just so many good things to come. I just know that there are.”