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The Escambia County School System acquired many new faces at the June board meeting on Thursday. Effective July 1, the board hired four new principals and one assistant principal, along with approximately 80 other new employees.

After closing for executive session to discuss the principal prospects, the board resumed the meeting in the cafeteria at W. S. Neal High School.

“I can assure you, my administrative team, and I know, especially the school board, we understand the gravity of the responsibility of making these decisions and we don’t take them lightly, I promise you,” said Superintendent John Knott.

With an unanimous vote, all personnel were approved by the board.

Addressing the new principals, Knott shared, “Welcome to the Escambia County School System family. I can assure you this, I have great, great respect, I have great confidence that these people are going to be able to take it where we are at and continue to move our school forward and do a great job.” He added, “They are all great applicants and they are all deserving of the opportunity to take on the role as a leader in these individual schools.”

Going down the list, Knott shared more about each new principal:

Toya McMillan of Monroeville will serve as the principal of Rachel Patterson Elementary School. “Mrs. McMillan has a long history of understanding how it is to teach students as a teacher. I welcome you and we know you are going to do great things there,” said Knott.

Next, Takecia Barlow of Montgomery will be replacing Principal Deborah Bolden as the new principal of Escambia County Middle School. “Mrs. Barlow comes to us from Montgomery she has a long experience in education. One of things that really resonated with me in that talking with her; her great respect and appreciation and acknowledgement of the great work that Mrs. Bolden had started and her excitement to be able to continue that great work. I appreciate that. We welcome you to our family and look forward to a great relationship with you,” explained Knott.

Leah Fuqua was named the new principal of Huxford Elementary School. “She is no stranger to us. Mrs. Fuqua was with us for a long time as a special education teacher. She was an assistant principal at Brewton Middle School and has done really great work there. I really look forward to you being able to take that role,” commented Knott.

Sabrina Wilson was named the new principal of the Escambia Career Readiness Center. “Mrs. Wilson has been a long time employee with us. She has filled quite a few roles with us. One of her main roles in her experience was she served as a counselor at the career tech center. I think you are ready to take on that role and I am excited to see that,” said Knott.

Finally, Junia Fischer was named the assistant principal W.S. Neal High School. Knott said, “We are looking forward to have you come on board.”

Following his presentation, the meeting was adjourned.