Principal named at state's largest high school

By Frank Reddy (1234)
frank.reddy@gwinnettdailypost.com

As of Sunday, November 11, 2012
© Copyright 2013 Gwinnett Daily Post

Jason Lane

Yvette Arthur

Brenda Johnson

Stacey Schepens

HOSCHTON -- As veteran administrator Jim Markham steps down from his post at the state's largest high school to battle cancer, another longtime educator has been asked to take his place.

In the coming weeks, Duluth High School Principal Jason Lane will replace Markham, who announced his retirement in August. A new principal has not yet been named for Duluth.

On Friday, the Gwinnett County Board of Education tapped Lane and three other longtime leaders for principal posts around the district.

During a specially called meeting, the school board voted 4-0 to approve Brenda Johnson as principal of Centerville Elementary, Stacey Schepens as the new leader at Crews Middle, Yvette Arthur as principal at Lilburn Middle and Lane as principal at Mill Creek.

Arthur, who is currently the assistant principal at Jones Middle, will lead Lilburn Middle, replacing Gene Taylor, who accepted a position with another district. Arthur is a graduate of the school district's Quality-Plus Leader Academy, Aspiring Principal Program.

Schepens, who is also a graduate of the program, will transfer to Crews Middle after spending the last four years as an assistant principal at Moore Middle and McConnell Middle. She replaces Vince Botta, who took a job as staffing director with the district's Division of Human Resources.

Johnson will take the helm at Centerville Elementary after spending the past six years as an assistant principal at Ferguson Elementary and Minor Elementary. She replaces former principal Kim McDermon, who has taken a job as staffing director of the district's Division of Human Resources. Johnson is a graduate of the Quality-Plus Leader Academy, Aspiring Principal Program.

Lane also is a graduate of the school district's 2007 Quality-Plus Leader Academy, Aspiring Principal Program.

According to the district's website, the Quality-Plus Leader Academy is a program adopted by Gwinnett County Public Schools which aims to help leaders to be knowledgeable about instruction, have the ability to articulate the school's vision and mission and promote a positive school environment.

The website states that Quality-Plus leaders "model high expectations for teachers and students, and execute a vision so that these expectations may be realized."

More like this story

Two principals named at local schools ( May 10, 2013 )
Three tapped for principal posts ( April 19, 2012 )
Four elementary school principals named ( May 16, 2013 )
Board approves eight principal appointments ( January 9, 2009 )
Two new principals named ( February 13, 2012 )

Sandykin 7 months, 1 week ago

Did I miss it? What is the largest high school in the state? Which school is Lane going to be principal of?

gwinnettresident1 7 months, 1 week ago

I know slipped right by me also..

jeepintodd 7 months, 1 week ago

Susan 7 months, 1 week ago

It's there at the end of paragraph 4 - Mill Creek.

Sandykin 7 months, 1 week ago

Thanks Susan! He sure enough did sneak it in there!! Based on the title of the article, I was expecting that information to be just a bit more prominent. Good eye you have.

R 7 months, 1 week ago

Yvette Arthur as principal at Lilburn Middle and Lane as principal at Mill Creek.

Susan 7 months, 1 week ago

I agree. It could have been clearer.

motherinduluth 7 months, 1 week ago

Duluth constituents complain that no announcement was made at DHS. Neither PTSA officers nor local school council leaders were informed by GCPS or DHS, though PTSA funds are spent on the parent communications system (that GCPS uses for propaganda, lobbying, etc.). Apparently, word spread among staff and constituents when GCPS posted the announcement on facebook at 4:30 Friday afternoon. Because of the timing, there was no DHS nor GCPS personnel available for comment. Many feel that this is a promotion for Mr. Lane because he has shown he can "go along to get along" with Superintendent Wilbanks and Board Member Murphy. It is also seen by many as retaliation against Duluth constituents and city leaders for showing opposition to multiple controversial issues - unfair student reassignments, funding of Chamber of Commerce lobbyists, lack of transparancy/sunshine law violations, athletic recruitment/permissive transfer, teacher leave policy and procedures, land deals, school building locations, etc.

SurelyNot 7 months, 1 week ago

You are quite angry at the school. First, it's not a promotion; rather a lateral move and usually a principal gets to serve other schools after several years if they want to. Sounds like life may have been a lot of fun in the Duluth area. I'd want out of there, too! You must have a real big opinion of who should be told first about a principal transfer. Run, Dr. Lane, Run to Mill Creek.

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