The Clarke County Board of Education has approved the appointment of four principals: Robert (Trey) Ezekiel for Gaines Elementary, Tanisha Sanders for Whit Davis, Makeba Clark for Burney-Harris-Lyons Middle and Tomas Ramirez for Coile Middle.

“We are very pleased to announce four new administrators to help lead the district this next school year,” said Interim Superintendent Jack Parish. “We look forward to their strengths and expertise in helping lead all of their schools to higher levels of achievement, as they build on the work of previous administrators and current teachers and staff.”

Ezekiel is currently the assistant principal at Stroud Elementary. Prior to that, he was assistant principal at Hilsman Middle. Before then, he was a teacher in the school district at the elementary level. He earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of Georgia and his educational specialist and doctoral degrees from Argosy University.  

Sanders is currently the assistant principal at Creekland Middle School in Gwinnett County. Before then, she was an assistant principal at Hopkins Elementary in Gwinnett County, as well as an elementary teacher at various schools in that county. She earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Alabama A&M University, and her educational specialist degree from Valdosta State University.

Clark is currently principal at Cousins Middle School in Covington, Ga. Prior to that, she was assistant principal at Burney-Harris-Lyons Middle School and before then, she was assistant principal at Stroud Elementary School. She has been a middle school teacher in various systems throughout the state. Clark earned her bachelor’s degree from Albany State College, master’s degree from Central Michigan University and a doctorate from Argosy University.

Ramirez is currently principal at Bassick High School in Bridgeport, Ct. Prior to that, he was an educational consultant, principal, assistant principal and teacher at various schools in Providence, R.I. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Brown University, master’s degree from Rhode Island College and doctorate at the University of Connecticut.

All principals were selected following the principal hire process, as outlined in the district’s Charter System agreement. Each school’s Local School Governance Team serves as the school-based principal selection committee. Each LSGT is joined by a member of the Teaching and Learning Department and a principal from another school. That committee selects those to be interviewed and conducts the first round of interviews. The committee then selects those to proceed to the second round of interviews, whereby interviews are conducted by the LSGT co-chair, superintendent, associate superintendent of human resources, associate superintendent of instructional services, associate superintendent of district services and the executive director of either elementary or secondary teaching and learning, depending on the position. A finalist is chosen, and the superintendent recommends that finalist to the board for approval.

In addition, current Gaines Elementary principal Katrina Daniel has been named the interim director for Classic City High School. Current principal David Cole announced his retirement earlier this semester.