Schools

Update: New NAHS Principal Saga Continues

Atlanta Public Schools reportedly considered Eddie Echols, a former Fulton principal arrested for stealing $25,000 from his school, for the North Atlanta High principal job.

Update: Atlanta Public Schools Director of Media Relations Keith Bromery took a moment to bring some clarity to the recent revelation about former Fulton prinicipal Eddie Echols, who was arrested for stealing $25,000 from his school, and was being considered for the North Atlanta High School Principal job. 

Bromery said that while he could not speak directly to how Echols name ended up on the list of candidates for the NAHS job, the former Fulton principal had simply submitted his resume and still had a long way to go in the process if he were to get the job at all.

"They would be much more thoroughly vetted before they are hired if they are chosen for a particular position," he said of all the candidates. "I don't know what was realized and what was not, I just know how they select people for these positions."

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While construction at the new North Atlanta High School is underway and plain for all to see, there is much activity going on behind the scenes as well. 

Find out what's happening in Buckheadwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Officials with Atlanta Public Schools are in the midst of selecting a new principal for NAHS and have already had the top candidate, Reginald Richardson turn the job down after receiving a better offer from his current employer.

Richardson, who is employed as a Performing Arts and Technology Teacher in Brooklyn, N.Y., raised questions of concern from some parents of NAHS students as to why APS was seeking to hire someone from out of the state. 

Now, the Buckhead Reporter is stating that another name on the list of potential candidates is former Riverwood International Charter School principal Eddie Echols, who was arrested on Feb. 29 and charged with stealing almost $25,000 from the school. 

Echols reportedly resigned as principal of Riverwood International Charter School in Fulton County last fall after an audit alleged mismanagement of school funds and led to his arrest on Feb. 29.

What is your opinion of the APS selection process so far?

While many parents are obviously concernred about the selection process to replace former, well-loved principal , APS officials have only said that the process to fill the position is continuing.

The Buckhead Reporter was able to obtain resumes of the other candidates being considered before June 4. It isn’t certain, however, if APS intends to reopen the application process.

Other candidates are:

  • John Denine, Academy Leader, North Atlanta High
  • Julie Brown, assistant principal of G.P. Babb Middle School, Forest Park, Ga.
  • Rafiq Vaughn, assistant principal of Stratford STEM Magnet High School, Nashville, Tenn.

Should any of the current candidates be selected as new NAHS principal? Let us know your opinion of this important issue in the comments below!


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