APS, North Atlanta HS on Search for New Principal

Last week, North Atlanta High Principal Howard “Gene” Taylor announced his plan to retire after the school year.

Taylor wrote in an email announcement to parents and students that his last day on the job will be June 30. He gave no reason for departing.

“I am deeply saddened that our time together has not been longer,” Taylor wrote in his email. “However, for the remainder of our time together, I will continue to do as I have done every day since becoming your principal — give you my all toward making North — the direction to excellence for all of our students.”

On Sunday, the North Atlanta HS Leadership Team sent an email update to school stakeholders on the principal selection process, including news of a Monday night meeting in Buckhead. It reads as follows:

North Atlanta Parents and Community,

As promised, we are sharing with you the latest information we have regarding the Principal Search Process for North Atlanta.

On Friday afternoon, the North Atlanta Leadership Team met with Dr. Sidney Baker, Executive Director of the APS North Region. At that meeting, we reviewed the principal selection process and timeline. 　　

We are fortunate to have a robust new principal selection process in place at APS, which is already working well at Morris Brandon and will be followed for North Atlanta’s Principal selection. This process was reviewed in detail at a North Region Community meeting this past March 24th. Another similar meeting will be held tomorrow -- Monday, April 21st -- from 6:30 - 8:30 pm at Garden Hills Elementary. APS HR Administrators and some board members will be in attendance to answer questions and explain the process.  North Atlanta parent leadership is encouraged by the new search process, the timeline, and the inclusiveness of parents and community members in the selection of our new principal.

Based on our North Atlanta Leadership Team meeting with Dr. Baker this past Friday, the process is as outlined below:

• • Early this week (week of 4/21), the Leadership Team will work with Dr. Baker to identify a "community panel." This panel will be involved in the interviewing process of candidates and will consist of LSC, PTSA, Sports Booster and Foundation leaders, current teachers, a classified school employee (i.e., non-teacher, secretary), 1-2 community members or additional parents, and a student representative (if appropriate). 　
  • A survey will be available for parent input into the principal selection criteria. This survey gives everyone an opportunity to have a voice in setting priorities as we begin the process.　The survey will be available both at the school in paper format and online.
  • There is a process diagram and timeline we will share with you via Warrior Weekly as soon as we have it in electronic format.
  • The goal is to have a principal in place no later than July 1. The position is already posted on the APS website.

If you have any questions or concerns, you can provide feedback to either NAHSPTSA@gmail.com or NAHSLSC@gmail.com.

NAHS Leadership Team

Mike Everly
Chair, Local School Council
everlmi@mindspring.com

Joleen Neel
Vice Chair, Local School Council
j_neel@bellsouth.net

Angela Church
Co-President, PTSA
churcha@bellsouth.net

Allison Hayes
Co-President, PTSA
allison.hayes@icloud.com

Frankie Williams
Co-President (elect), PTSA
frankieenpointe@aol.com

Jeff Sweeney
President, North Atlanta High Foundation
jsweeney@ewmfg.com

Jeff Johnson
Co-President, North Atlanta Sports Booster
jeff@getjeffjohnsonnow.com