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A trio of new principals and the new Director of Student Success were officially hired for Troup County Schools.

In an unusual Wednesday meeting of the Troup County School Board, which was moved up a day due to the Juneteenth holiday, the board approved a slew of human resources recommendations. The hirings include Jason Bothwell as the new Director of Student Success, Veleka Battle as the new Principal of ThINC Academy, Lonnie Thornton as the new Principal of Berta Weathersbee Elementary School, and Kathryn Willis as the new Principal of Callaway Elementary School. All four were introduced before the votes made them official. They all start effective July 1.

Bothwell is originally from Alabama but is currently serving as an assistant principal in Henry County. He thanked the board and Superintendent Rachel Hazel for the opportunity.

“I’m excited about the opportunity to work and lead the Troup County Schools, and I’m excited about the opportunity to meet you individually and just to hear what your vision is for Troup County Schools and how I can play a partial role in making that vision become a success,” Bothwell said.

Battle previously served as an assistant principal at ThINC College and Career Academy, and the promotion was approved by both ThINC, which has its own board, and the Troup County School Board.

“Thank you for the opportunity and the belief in my leadership and my vision. I’m excited to carry forward with ThINC Academy this school year. It’s been a rewarding opportunity to be back in the building again for the past couple of years,” Battle said.  “I appreciate the opportunity to lead and to help extend my leadership and all that I have to offer for our community and our school system.”

Thornton and Willis both also previously served as assistant principals inside TCSS. Thornton was an assistant principal at Clearview Elementary, and Willis was an assistant principal at Hogansville Elementary.

“All three of our principal appointments today came from within Troup County. They weren’t the only ones interviewed from Troup County, but our Troup County leaders shined in these interviews. I’m very proud of [them] for being brave and stepping up, even though they didn’t know what they were volunteering for exactly, but they knew that they were called to lead,” Hazel said.

For Thornton, the move to Berta Weathersbee is a full-circle move.

“I was a student at Berta. I went to Berta for my fifth-grade year, back when it was a city school. Ted Alford was my principal,” Thornton said. “I’m just ready to get back to Berta and get on the ground working.”

Current Berta Weathersbee Principal, Willie Cooks, is retiring in January and will continue on at the school until the end of the calendar year.

“It’s not always best to have a mid-year change for schools, so that is why we are making the appointment of Mr. Thornton tonight,” said Hazel, thanking the board for approving the temporary double principal allocation.

Willis is staying in the Hogansville area, just moving elementary schools. She has worked in TCSS for 21 years.

“I grew up in the system. I’ve been an assistant principal for the past 11 years, and I think I’m ready. I’m ready to make you all proud and make Callaway Elementary shine,” Willis said. “I’ve got three boys that are also in the system, and family all around, so I want the best for Troup County.”