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The first board meeting of the school year was an eventful one. The orchestra, choir and JROTC students from Troup High School filled the room to kick off the new year in style.  

While the agenda was mostly routine, there was an item that drew applause. Dr. Nigel Walker was named and approved as the new principal of Ethel Kight Elementary School. 

Walker has served in many positions within the school system including almost 20 years as an educator, an HR administrator and an assistant principal. He follows longtime principal Candace McGee.

“Dr. Walker is a rock star everywhere he goes. He leaves a legacy, wherever he has been, and that legacy is a student achievement, kids love him, and staff love him,” said Brandon Brooks, Chairman of the Board. “I just want to say, from my perspective, thank you for all you’ve done for the Troup County school system, and we are super excited about what you’re going to do.”

There to support Walker was his family, as well as Leadership Troup, of which he is currently a member. 

“This is something that I have had on my heart for a long time,” Walker said. “Monday morning will be the first full day that I’m in that seat, and I’m just ready, and I’m going to ask for everyone’s support…[As] we continue to build this thing and grow Troup County school system moving forward.”

Troup High JROTC instructor, Sgt. Kevin Jefferson, spoke about the students performing color guard duties on the night of the meeting. The cadets drove an hour on Saturday to provide color guard detail for a two star general when previous arrangements had fallen through.

“We called them that Saturday morning, they drove an hour, and they got the job done…The same four that did the colors today, those were the four that picked up the ball and ran it across the goal line,” Jefferson said.

As a thank you to the students, the national director of JROTC, will be coming to Troup High on Aug. 21 at 9:30 a.m. to recognize them. 

The night was extra special for Kathy Kirby, the THS choir director. 

“Since 1996, I’ve been bringing kids to this boardroom to sing for you and perform for you, and I’m very honored to be able to bring them one more time,” Kirby said. 

This was Kirby’s final performance in front of the board, as she will be retiring later this year. The director led her students, along with orchestra director Callie Hammond, in the song ‘“fly away home.”

There was one staff recognition. Christy Washington was named a State i-Ready Extraordinary Educator, for using the iReady system effectively to serve her students. Washington is a 5th grade teacher at Hogansville Elementary School.