Bryan County Elementary and Richmond Hill Elementary will be getting new principals in the fall, according to a press release. Both are longtime local educators.
Current BCES assistant principal Alison Holcombe has been named principal of BCES and Dr. Ken Deal has been named principal of RHES. Deal is assistant principal at Frances Meeks Elementary.
BCES principal Jeff Hodges will be the Bryan County Schools' director of planning and logistics. Longtime RHES principal Walt Barnes is retiring, according to a press release.
The appointments were approved by the Bryan County School Board at its April 28 meeting.
Below is the press release from Bryan County Schools.
Bryan County School Board Appoints New Leadership for the Upcoming School Year
(Black Creek, GA) – At its regular meeting Thursday, April 28, 2022, the Bryan County Board of Education approved recommendations to appoint new leadership at Bryan County Elementary School and Richmond Hill Elementary School. The appointments were unanimously approved through an action taken during the meeting at the Bryan County Board of Education Office in Black Creek.
“I am excited about the positive impact these leaders will have on our students, staff, parents, and the Bryan County community. I appreciate the support of the board and their commitment to excellence they continue to demonstrate in approving these highly qualified leaders.”, said Superintendent Dr. Paul T. Brooksher, Ph.D.
Mrs. Alison Holcombe, Principal – Bryan County Elementary School
Mrs. Alison Holcombe currently serves as the assistant principal at Bryan County Elementary School, where she has served for the last 5 academic years, under Principal Jeff Hodges, who has accepted a new role as the Director of Planning and Logistics for Bryan County Schools. Prior to working at Bryan County Elementary School, Mrs. Holcombe worked at Lanier Primary School for 17 years. Upon completing her student teaching at Lanier Primary, she was offered a job teaching second grade. Mrs. Holcombe taught second grade for 15 years before transitioning to the role of Intervention Specialist at Lanier Primary. She served as Intervention Specialist for two years before moving to Bryan County Elementary School.
Mrs. Holcombe earned her Bachelor of Science and Master of Education degrees from Georgia Southern University. She later added her Educational Specialist degree in Curriculum and Instruction from Lincoln Memorial University followed by her Leadership Certificate from Valdosta State University. Mrs. Holcombe was recognized as Bryan County High School STAR teacher in 2019 and the system level Teacher of the Year for Bryan County in 2011-2012.
Dr. Ken Deal, Principal – Richmond Hill Elementary School
Dr. Ken Deal has worked in the Bryan County School System for the past 22 years. He currently serves as Assistant Principal at Frances Meeks Elementary School, where he has served for the last two academic years. Prior to that he was an Assistant Principal at Richmond Hill Middle School from 2013-2020. Dr. Deal began his career in 1999 at Bryan County Middle School where he taught math. During his time there he served as teacher, math department chair, and was a member of the leadership team.
Dr. Deal earned his Bachelor of Science in Middle Grades Education from Georgia Southern University, his Education Specialist in Educational Leadership from Nova Southeastern University, and his Doctor of Education from Liberty University. Dr. Deal will be stepping in as Mr. Walt Barnes retires as Principal of Richmond Hill Elementary School.