James Mattox, principal of W.C. Williams Elementary School, has been named the new assistant superintendent of the Greenwood Public Schools, replacing Billy Randle, who is retiring.
Randle will officially leave his post at the end of the month.
The school board approved Mattox at its meeting Tuesday night. It also approved other administrative changes.
Mattox, who has served principal at Williams for two years, will oversee maintenance, transportation and operations. He joins Assistant Superintendent Margie Pulley, who oversees personnel, curriculum, federal programs and operations.
Mattox said he appreciated the support of Superintendent Leslie Daniels and the school board. He said he has some "really big shoes to fill," referring to Randle's long and distinguished career in the school system.
"My learning curve will increase greatly in the next month," Mattox said. "I will be working with Mr. Randle daily. Dr. Daniels and Mr. Randle have offered me encouragement and help, and both of them will be there."
Mattox said he will miss the camaraderie at Williams, and he appreciates the support he received there. "I think the teachers have done a superb job, and they've tried hard to let the students have a good, productive school experience," he said. "I can't find enough good things to say about them."
The board also approved the following administrative changes:
- David Taylor, assistant principal of Greenwood High School, will replace Mattox at Williams. Taylor has served in his current position for two years, and he was assistant principal at Threadgill before that.
- Alfred Hall, assistant principal of Greenwood High, will be principal of the district's Alternative School.
- Alternative School Principal Charles Parham will move to the high school as an assistant principal. He will be joined by newcomer Marion Mitchell, who has been principal of Leland Elementary School.
- Robert Sims, principal of Davis Elementary, will head the new Greenwood Middle School. His assistant will be Percy Powell, who served as assistant principal at Threadgill.
- Q.C. Simmons, assistant principal at Davis, will replace Sims. He will be assisted by Brenda Brown, who will move from her position as assistant principal at Dickerson.
- Leroy Byars will remain at the helm at Greenwood High, and Kaye McCrory will continue as principal of Bankston Elementary. Dickerson Principal Kenyartic Brown will move to the Threadgill campus along with his staff and students. Threadgill will serve pre-kindergarten through sixth grade.
