Two new principals and nine assistants up for approval in Muscogee County School District

Mark Rice
·3 min read

Two new principals and nine new assistant principals will be appointed in Columbus public schools if the Muscogee County School District Board approves the superintendent’s recommendations next week.

On the agenda for the May 15 meeting are the following recommended appointments from superintendent David Lewis:

  • Carlos Jackson to be principal at River Road Elementary School.

  • Katie Lettieri to be principal at Westley Heights Elementary School.

  • Rebecca Barden to be assistant principal at Aaron Cohn Middle School.

  • Charles Freeman to be assistant principal at Allen Elementary School.

  • Melissa Thomas to be assistant principal at Britt David Magnet Academy.

  • Matthew Redmond to be assistant principal at Hardaway High School.

  • Kennith Josey Jr. to be assistant principal at Jordan Vocational High School.

  • Ebone Cutts to be assistant principal at Kendrick High School.

  • Angela Brooks to be assistant principal at Midland Academy.

  • David Hughes to be assistant principal at Rothschild Leadership Academy.

  • Quashanta Dorsey to be assistant principal at Spencer High School.

Here’s background information about the recommended principals, based on their resumes attached to the agenda:

Carlos Jackson

Jackson has been an educator for 20 years, including the past three years as assistant principal at Martin Luther King Jr. Elementary School.

He taught math at Terrell Middle-High School in Dawson, Georgia, (2002-08) before joining MCSD in 2008. At Carver High School, he taught math (2008-19), headed the math department (2014-19) and served on the school’s leadership team (2015-19).

Jackson earned a bachelor’s degree in math from Albany State University in 2002, a master’s degree in math education from Walden University in 2010 and a specialist’s degree in education leadership from Valdosta State University in 2015.

Katie Lettieri

Lettieri has been an educator for 14 years, including the past four years as assistant principal at Wesley Heights.

Her previous positions are kindergarten teacher at Riverbend Preparatory School in Arizona (2008-09), instructional assistant in special education at Oveta Culp Hobby Elementary School in Texas (January-April 2010), third- and fourth-grade teacher at Oveta Culp Hobby (2010-16), instructional specialist at Hay Branch Elementary School in Texas (February-June 2016) and assistant principal at Bellaire Elementary School (2016-17).

She joined MCSD in 2017, when she taught at Key Elementary School and Midland Academy (August-October) then became an academic coach at Spencer High School (2017-18).

Lettieri earned a bachelor’s degree in interdisciplinary studies from Arizona State University in 2008, a master’s degree in elementary education from Grand Canyon University in 2013 and a doctorate in education administration from the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor in 2017.

Rationale for recommendations

In an emailed interview with the Ledger-Enquirer, Lewis explained his rationale for his recommendations.

“Mr. Jackson is a strong instructional leader with valuable experience working with students who are speakers of other languages (ESOL),” Lewis said. “River Road Elementary also serves an ESOL student population that will benefit from his expertise in this area, which set him apart from other applicants.”

Jackson would succeed Philip Bush, who is transferring to Johnson Elementary School to fill the vacancy created when Lisa Whitaker was transferred to succeed the retiring Karen Garner at Britt David, Lewis said.

Lettieri would succeed the retiring Shelia Ellis at Wesley Heights.

“In her current role as the school’s assistant principal, Dr. Letteri has demonstrated the ability and dedication to lead the Wesley Heights school community,” Lewis said. “Her promotion would provide continuity as she implements her aspirational vision for the school.”

The two principal vacancies attracted a pool of 25 applicants, from which eight candidates were interviewed, Lewis said.

His assistant principal recommendations would fill vacancies created due to retirements and promotions.

The appointments would be effective July 1.