Three principals will swap schools next year after a decision by the Troup County Board of Education at a called meeting Tuesday.

Ethel Kight Magnet School principal Anne Cook is reassigned to Gardner Newman Middle School. Gardner Newman’s principal, Ernest Ward, is assigned to Whitesville Road Elementary School and current Whitesville Road principal Margaretta Wright will take Cook’s position at Ethel Kight. The transfers are effective July 1.

The board also approved some instructional specialist changes effective July 12. Instructional specialists affected and their assignments are, Cindy Kemp from Callaway Elementary School to Hogansville Elementary School, Lynn Short from Hogansville Elementary to Whitesville Road Elementary School, Dannette Walls from Whitesville Road Elementary to Hillcrest Elementary School. Instructional specialist Linda Wood at Hillcrest Elementary will move to Callaway Elementary as an assistant principal.

“These administrative transfers were recommended to the board of education after several meetings involving the cabinet and the principal’s supervisors,” said schools Superintendent Cole Pugh. “While we realize that change is initially difficult, the purpose of these transfers was to develop strong administrative teams to facilitate continuous improvement in student achievement and strong campus leadership.”